Austin ISD made it official on Friday afternoon promoting LBJ defensive coordinator Joe Rauls to the position of head football coach at LBJ High School.

He replaces Jahmal Fenner, who departed in late January to become the director of high school relations at the University of Texas.

“I’m just really thankful," he said. "I’ve interviewed for head coaching jobs several times and I guess it just wasn’t my time. LBJ is a special place and I knew God placed me here for a reason. When Coach Fenner got the call he told me it was my time and I was ready and I’m just so fortunate to continue serving these kids and this community."

Coach Rauls, who is a native of Waco and graduate of La Vega High School, has spent the last four years on Fennner’s staff at LBJ, the last two seasons as the Jaguars defensive coordinator.

Prior to that, Coach Rauls spent 10 years at Austin Travis, serving as their defensive coordinator. He also spent three seasons at Waco University. Rauls also had some time in the college game serving as a graduate assistant at Baylor and the running backs coach at Sam Houston State, which is his alma mater and where he played his college ball.

Rauls doesn’t think he’s going to change too much.

“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it," he said. "We are going to continually try to improve in all facets on and off the field, but the formula is place.”