Georgia Southern Makes Change at Offensive Coordinator
11/29/2020 10:59:00 AM | Football
Doug Ruse moved into new role with Eagles
STATESBORO - Georgia Southern head football coach Chad Lunsford announced Sunday that Bob DeBesse is no longer the program's offensive coordinator, effective immediately. With this announcement, tight ends coach Doug Ruse will serve as the interim offensive coordinator and move to quarterbacks coach for the remainder of the season.
"First off, I want to thank Bob DeBesse for his investment into the Georgia Southern football program," Lunsford said. "Bob has worked hard on and off the field to help our program succeed and I appreciate that. At this time, I feel it's in the best interest of our program to go in a different direction and make a change at the offensive coordinator spot.
"These types of decisions are never easy, however, I know that I am responsible for putting a staff together that gives our program the best chance to succeed. Bob has really helped me develop as a head coach and I have a lot of respect for him, but I believe a change is necessary for us to move forward."
Ruse was the offensive coordinator at Georgia Southern in 2014 and 2015. In those two seasons, Ruse's offense averaged 37.7 points per game and led the FBS in rushing both seasons. In his debut season with the Eagles, Georgia Southern won the Sun Belt title with an 8-0 record and the Eagles won their first bowl game in 2015, the GoDaddy Bowl.
With DeBesse leaving the program, Lunsford will make a decision on who will move into the on-field coaching position with the tight ends.
Georgia Southern (6-4) is slated to play FAU (5-1) Saturday at Paulson Stadium at 6 p.m.
"First off, I want to thank Bob DeBesse for his investment into the Georgia Southern football program," Lunsford said. "Bob has worked hard on and off the field to help our program succeed and I appreciate that. At this time, I feel it's in the best interest of our program to go in a different direction and make a change at the offensive coordinator spot.
"These types of decisions are never easy, however, I know that I am responsible for putting a staff together that gives our program the best chance to succeed. Bob has really helped me develop as a head coach and I have a lot of respect for him, but I believe a change is necessary for us to move forward."
Ruse was the offensive coordinator at Georgia Southern in 2014 and 2015. In those two seasons, Ruse's offense averaged 37.7 points per game and led the FBS in rushing both seasons. In his debut season with the Eagles, Georgia Southern won the Sun Belt title with an 8-0 record and the Eagles won their first bowl game in 2015, the GoDaddy Bowl.
With DeBesse leaving the program, Lunsford will make a decision on who will move into the on-field coaching position with the tight ends.
Georgia Southern (6-4) is slated to play FAU (5-1) Saturday at Paulson Stadium at 6 p.m.
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