Joe Cauthen Brings Experience to USU’s Defense
Utah State Football has a new man creating the defensive game plan this year. Defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen was named to the position in February by head coach Blake Anderson. The vacancy was created after former defensive coordinator Ephraim Banda was hired as the safeties coach for the Cleveland Browns.
Cauthen joins the program after spending the 2022 season as the defensive coordinator at Stephen F. Austin University, but was on Anderson’s coaching staff at Arkansas State from 2014-2018.
In the Fall media day, Anderson expressed losing Banda to Cleveland was difficult, but is hopeful the familiarity between the two coaches would lead to a smooth transition and show up on the field.
“Joe and I spent a lot of time together — five years at Arkansas State — and have known each other since the late ‘90s. In that sense, there’s some comfort,” Anderson said. “The familiarity with what he does was important especially with me stepping back into the offense, full tilt. That would have been really hard had I not had access to him. He’s exactly who I wanted to hire.”
The decision for Cauthen to leave Stephen F. Austin was also made easier because of his relationship with Anderson.
“I trust Blake and the kind of man he is and what he stands for. At this point in my career, it’s more about who I’m working for,” Cauthen said.
Cauthen brings 27 years of collegiate coaching experience to Logan. Despite such a long career, he still enjoys getting the chance to personally work with student-athletes and develop lifelong relationships at every stop he’s made.
“I just love the challenge every single day of the game. And I also really get a lot of enjoyment at this point in my career seeing success in life after football,” Cauthen said. “I think it’s a platform that God has put me on to help guys and maybe I can make a difference in one of these young men’s lives.”
Cauthen has experienced his fair share of success on the field as well. Over the course of his career, he has won five conference championships in addition to a Division II national championship at Valdosta State University.
While coaching with Anderson at Arkansas State, the duo led the Red Wolves to two conference championships and five straight bowl wins while the defense ranked in the top 25 nationally in tackles for loss between 2016 and 2018.
Cauthen prides himself on coaching defenses that are aggressive, play fast and are tough. Through two games against Iowa and Idaho State, both the front 7 and defensive backfields have had moments where those traits have been exhibited.
In the Aggies’ loss to Iowa, the defense allowed just 2.4 yards per carry and under 300 total yards of offense. Against Idaho State, the defensive backfield took center-stage, returning two interceptions for touchdowns.
When asked what makes this defense different from other ones he has coached, Cauthen praised the versatility and IQ of his players.
“I’ve got some really smart players. They’ve been really easy to coach. Their football IQ is being constantly challenged, I’m giving them the kitchen sink if you will. And it’s starting to pay rewards because we can we can move players in multiple positions,” Cauthen said. “I’ve been impressed with their ability to handle it in one particular spot, master that spot and then move to another position. It gives us other toys to play with.”
Cauthen and the Aggies hope to build on their strong early season performance in their return to Logan against James Madison University.