Sam Houston State football fans have probably seen a familiar face roaming the sidelines this season. Former Bearkat running back Joe Rauls has shed his helmet and shoulder pads for a whistle and clipboard. Rauls wreaked havoc for opposing defense throughout his career, which ranged from 1998-2001. Rauls is on of the most prolific backs in SHSU history and his name is no stranger to the record book. Rauls ranks sixth on the all-time Bearkat list for career rushing attempts and rushing yards. Rauls carried the ball 504 times for a total of 2, 265 yards and 15 touchdownsRauls was the co-captain of last year’s Southland Conference championship squad and was named to the second team All-Southland Conference football team. He was fifth in the conference in rushing yards with 754 and 68 average yards per game.The transition from player to coach has been difficult, but Rauls is willing to do everything he can to make a difference.”Even when I was a player, I was a team leader and I could get out there and show them what to do,” Rauls said. “As a coach all I can do is teach them and hope when they get out on the field that they make the right decisions or do the right thing.””If I could, I would jump back on the field in a heartbeat, but that’s just a part of being a coach: to give them everything you can to prepare them to go into battle.”The SHSU coaching staff had concerns with Rauls making the transition from being a player to a coach and gaining the respect from the players.”I haven’t had any problems from the players and I think a lot of it was the respect that they had for me when I was a player,” Rauls said. “They know that I’m a guy who likes to have fun, but at the same time, I’m serious about football.”Raul’s playing career hit a snag when a knee injury threatened his football career. Instead of letting the injury keep him down, Rauls showed his coaching abilities and assisted the team on the sidelines. The Bearkats coaching staff tried to get the NCAA to grant Rauls and extra year of eligibility, but was ultimately denied. “We would love to have him as a player, but all things change,” said Ron Randleman, Bearkat head coach. “We’re just happy to have him as a coach.”Rauls would love to have that extra year of eligibility back, but he believes that it all works out in the end.”I would love to have the year back that I lost to the knee injury, but overall, my career was a good experience and I can take it with me in what ever I do,” Rauls said.Rauls has used his experience on different SHSU football teams to help the younger players understand that winning is not expected to come every season.Before last season’s incredible year, Rauls was part of a class that struggled early on, and over the course of their careers, was able to have a 10-win season. Rauls tries to tell his players that it takes a lot of hard work and growth help build the team and not great expectations.”He doesn’t try to criticize us to much,” junior running back Eric Brown said. “He just tries to encourage us. He tells us that last year he made this kind of mistake and he doesn’t want us to do the same thing.” Off the field Rauls enjoys a great personal life and enjoys other things rather than football like making his new wife happy. The two were high school sweethearts and have been through the same hardships Rauls has faced on the field together.”I spend so many hours at work, but putting a smile on my wife’s face is my biggest priority,” Rauls said. “She has persevered through a lot of things and she is a big motivator for me.”Rauls has brought his personal playing experience to a young Bearkat football team and has continued to be a valuable part of SHSU’s football program.”Joe is special and he is a great young man,” Randleman said. “The thing about him is he has full responsibility of the running backs and he is already familiar with our offense and knows what we like to do.”