Doug Rouse (1982) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Doug Rouse

Induction:
1982

Doug Rouse was one of the school’s most outstanding defensive backs during a brief career that saw him make big contributions to the Southern Miss football program during the 1968 and 1969 seasons. During his tenure with the Golden Eagles Rouse proved to be not only a natural for the game, but also a player that had wonderful instincts on the field and provide the coaching staff with almost a “coach on the field”.
   Rouse was the type of player that might not overwhelm with the physical skills, but it was his heart and drive that made him into one of the school’s all-time greats. It was his drive to be successful and the leadership abilities that he possessed that made Rouse so valuable to the team. Ask the coaches that he played for and they will tell you that his ability to analyze the opposing team’s offense and help get the Southern defense, particularly the secondary, in the right position that made him so essential to the team.
   He began his career at Southern Miss after a brilliant prep career at Hattiesburg (Miss.) High School that saw him win numerous honors. Then after playing with the freshman team in 1967, was ready to move up to the varsity in time for the 1968 campaign.
   Playing a utility role on the 1968 club, Rouse wound a way to make contributions. As a reserve cornerback and safety Rouse was third on the team in interceptions on the season with two and his reckless play on the special teams had a great deal to do with disrupting the opposition kicking game.
   That 1968 squad would be the final year that Coach Pie Vann would lead Southern and the team struggled to a 4-6 record, after winning three of its first four games that year. Rouse was a part of the year’s most impressive triumph and one of the most impressive in school history, a 65-0 victory over East Carolina, that saw the Southern defense hold the Pirates to no first downs and only 12 total yards that night.
   Rouse would move into the monster man position for the 1969 season and had no trouble adapting to the new role. Although he wouldn’t record any interceptions that season he was among the team’s leading tacklers and again one of the leaders of the special teams. The 1969 team, the first under Coach P.W. Underwood, finished with a 5-5 record. After starting 1-4, the team rallied behind the leadership of Rouse and others to win four of its last five games.
   Rouse left the Golden Eagles following the 1969 season to attend medical school and begin his career. Rouse has gained a reputation as one of the top orthopedic surgeons in the South and in the country and stayed involved with the Southern Miss football team as the squad’s orthopedic man. Rouse also has remained involved in several other capacities including the M-Club Alumni Association.