Doug Ruse Finalist for Coaching Award
12/4/2012 12:23:00 PM | Football
Sam Houston State offensive coordinator Doug Ruse has been named a finalist for the FootballScoop.com NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision 2012 Coordinator of the Year.
The FootballScoop Coaches of the Year awards presented by ProGrass are the only set of awards that recognize the most outstanding position coaches in college football. Finalists were selected based off of nominations by coaches, athletic directors, and athletic department personnel.
The winner will be chosen by the previous winners of the award and will be announced on Monday December 10th.
The 2012 FootballScoop Coaches of the Year will be recognized and will receive their awards at a function at the American Football Coaches Association's annual convention in January.
In his first year on Willie Fritz's staff, Doug Ruse's biggest accomplishment has been to keep the Sam Houston State offensive machine humming.
Like last season, the Bearkats still lead the nation in scoring, but their scoring average has jumped from 39.5 to 44.6. In fact, every facet of the Sam Houston State offense has shown improvement over last season, as Ruse helped the Bearkats jump from 250.1 rushing yards per game to 284.9. Sam Houston's passing yards improved from 164.7 yards per game to 195.6, thereby bumping the team's total yardage output from 414.8 yards per game (25th nationally) to 480.5, which ranks sixth.
Ruse's work with quarterback Brian Bell has been most evident, as the junior has nearly matched his 2011 totals in four less games. In his last eight outings, Bell has tossed completions on 99-of-158 attempts (62.7 percent) for 1,272 yards (8.05 yards per attempt) with 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Those numbers are good for a 157 quarterback rating which, stretched over a whole season, would rank him fourth nationally.
In all, Ruse's offense has produced 66 touchdowns, the third most in FCS. The Bearkats also rank seventh nationally in red zone offense with 37 touchdowns and 13 field goals in 54 trips and are near the top 20 in third down offense.
Sam Houston defensive coordinator Scott Stoker won the award last season.
