GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota head football coach Bubba Schweigert announced on Wednesday morning that former Fresno State running back Robbie Rouse has been hired as the running backs coach for the upcoming 2020 season.
 
"I am very excited about the hiring of Robbie [Rouse]," said Schweigert. "His success from his playing career at Fresno State along with his passion for coaching the game of football will help continue to move Fighting Hawk football in the right direction."
 
Rouse was a four-year member of the football team at Fresno State, where he became the program's all-time leading rusher. In four years with the Bulldogs, Rouse rushed for a total of 4,647 yards and 37 rushing touchdowns while also finishing with 794 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns, and one passing touchdown. He is the first player in program history to record three 1,000-yard seasons and helped the Bulldogs reach a bowl game in all four seasons.
 
"I'm very appreciative of Coach Schweigert for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the UND coaching and for my family to join the Grand Forks community," said Rouse. "I am excited to get things going and get with the running backs."
 
After a brief stint in the National and Canadian Football Leagues with the Cleveland Brown and Edmonton Eskimos, Rouse began his coaching career in 2017 at the College of St. Scholastica where he coached the running backs, tight ends, wide receivers, and returners.
 
Last season, the San Diego, Calif., native coached the running backs for Augustana, helping the Vikings to a 9-3 overall record and a NCAA Division II postseason berth. As a team, AU amassed over 1,800 yards on the ground and Jarod Epperson finishing seventh in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) with 732 yards and six touchdowns.
 
Rouse graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Administration from Fresno State before receiving his master's degree in sports administration and leadership from Augustana.