East Texas A&M University Athletics

Entering his seventh season as the defensive coordinator for the Lions is Joe Cauthen.

Last fall, Cauthen directed a Lions defense that led the Lone Star Conference in total defense (318.9 yards per game), rushing defense (127.4 yards per game), scoring defense (18.3 points per game) and red zone defense (61.8% ended in scoring). An anchor of that defense, J.D. Hearn led the nation with an average of 13.3 tackles per game. His efforts earned him national recognition including eight post-season awards.

At Texas A&M-Commerce, he has coached five All-Americans, four Lone Star Conference linebackers of the year and two defensive lineman of the year.Under Cauthen, the 2003 Lions finished fourth in the conference and 41st in nation in total defense. He molded together a strong unit in 2001, where they ranked second in the league in total defense, first against the run, second against the pass and third in scoring defense.

Cauthen came to A&M-Commerce in January of 1999 after two seasons as the defensive line coach at Stephen F. Austin State University. He served one season as a defensive coach under Scotty Conley at Trinity Valley Community College in 1996 and was a defensive assistant at Sherman High School from 1990-1995, with post-season berths at both stops.

A graduate of Jacksonville (Texas) High School in 1982, Cauthen received his bachelor's degree in health and kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1990 and a master's degree in sports administration from the University of Texas-Tyler in 1996.

Cauthen is married to the former Karen Belson of Houston and has three children, Brooklyn (12), Dakota (8) and Jackson (7).