Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Joe Cauthen

Joe Cauthen

Hailed as one of the top rising coaches on the defensive side of the ball, Joe Cauthen has re-enforced that perception during his first two years as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach with Valdosta State.

After all, Cauthen directed a unit that finished 14th in the nation in scoring defense, as the Blazers surrendered 17.6 points per game, while VSU won its second national title in 2007. Cauthen's knowledge of the defensive side of the ball was no more evident than in the 2007 NCAA Championship game, where his scheme held Northwest Missouri State running back Xavier Omon, who had averaged 236 yards a game in three previous playoff contests, to just 63 yards on 27 carries, an average of 2.3 yards per carry. In fact, all ball carriers have found the going tough against Valdosta State since Cauthen's arrival, as the Blazers have allowed a 100-yard rushing performance just one time in his 26 games as the leader of the Blazer defense.

Under Cauthen's tutelage, the Blazer defense ranked among the best in the nation in nearly every category, finishing in the Top 40, out of 144 total teams, in six of the seven categories that the NCAA ranks on an annual basis. Cauthen's aggressive, ball-hawking defensive approach helped VSU lead the nation in passes intercepted with 27 on the season while finishing second in turnovers gained with 40. Additionally, Valdosta State was 25th in passing efficiency defense (105.9) and 33rd in rushing defense (120.9 yards per game). Meanwhile, the Blazers just missed finishing in the top 40 in total defense as they claimed 45th after surrendering just 326.4 yards per game in their 14 contests.

Cauthen's defense was just as impressive during the 2008 season as it finished 31st nationally in total defense and 24th in scoring defense. The Blazers allowed opponents just 304.6 yards per game during his second season with the school while surrendering just 18.6 points per outing. On the rushing side, the Blazers only allowed 108.3 yards per game to rank 31st in the nation while opponents found throwing the ball even tougher as they were held to a 104.91 efficiency rating, a number that ranked VSU 20th nationally.

Cauthen's ability to teach the game of football has helped several Blazers earn individual honors during his two years as two defensive players - safety Sherard Reynolds, who accomplished the feat in 2007 and 2008, and linebacker William Montford (2007) - have garnered All-America honors while a third, defensive tackle Demario Jones (2008), was named All-Region. Additionally, linebacker Larry Dean (2008), defensive end Travis Harrison (2007), Jones (2008), cornerback Maurice Leggett (2007), Montford (2007) and Reynolds (2007 and 2008) have all been named to the All-Gulf South Conference team.

Cauthen joined the Blazers after eight seasons with Texas A/M-Commerce, during which the Lions consistently ranked among the top defenses in the nation. A/M-Commerce led the Lone Star Conference and was ranked 23rd nationally in total defense in 2006 as the Lions compiled a 5-5 mark. Cauthen's defense surrendered just 258.3 yards per game, including 95.3 on the ground and 163.0 through the air. The Lions allowed just 15.1 points per game, 19th-best nationally, and were 24th in rushing defense.

The Lions were equally as impressive in 2005 as they again led the Lone Star Conference in total defense (318.9 yards a game), rushing defense (127.4 yards per game) and scoring defense (18.3 points an outing). A/M-Commerce was 47th nationally in total defense and 42nd in rushing defense while finishing 22nd in scoring defense. Additionally, under Cauthen's tutelage, Lion linebacker J.D. Hearn led the nation in tackles in 2005 and earned eight national post-season awards.

During his seven seasons with the Lions, Cauthen coached six All-Americans, four Lone Star Conference linebackers of the year, three defensive lineman of the year, a defensive back of the year and 34 defensive players that earned All-Lone Star Conference at least once during their career.

Cauthen spent little time in establishing his mark on the Texas A/M-Commerce defense as in just his third year he directed a defense that ranked second in the league in total defense, first against the run, second against the pass and third in scoring defense. Two years later, his 2003 defense was fourth in the 15-team league in 41st nationally in total defense.

Cauthen joined the Lion staff in 1999 after two seasons at I-AA Stephen F. Austin. He began his tenure with SFA as a restricted earnings coach in 1997 before becoming full-time in 1998. He worked with the defensive line during his two seasons and aided the Lumberjacks to an 11-11 overall record. Cauthen's line was instrumental in Stephen F. Austin finishing the 1997 season ranked 21st in the nation in the final national poll.

Prior to Stephen F. Austin, Cauthen spent a season as defensive line coach at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas. He also worked with the special teams unit at TVCC and served as the school's strength and conditioning coach. He began his coaching career at Sherman High School in Sherman, Texas during the 1990 season and worked with the school for five seasons. In addition to teaching biology for the school, Cauthen worked with the freshman team his first year and as an assistant for the varsity squad from 1992 through 1995. Additionally, he served as an assistant for the school's baseball, power lifting and basketball programs. Cauthen's coaching was instrumental in leading both Trinity Valley and Sherman to post-season berths during his time with the schools.

Cauthen earned his Bachelor's in Health and Kinesiology with a minor in Biology from Stephen F. Austin in 1990. He also obtained a Master's in Sports Administration from the University of Texas-Tyler in 1997.

Cauthen is married to the former Karen Belson of Houston, Texas. The couple has three children, Brooklyn (15), Dakota (11) and Jackson (10).