Austin LBJ coach Claude Mathis, a former record-setting running back at Texas State, was named DeSoto head football coach on Monday.

A DeSoto ISD interview committee chose Mathis, 33, over five other finalists. The job posting drew 72 applicants.

Mathis' hiring will be presented to the DeSoto board of trustees on Monday. He is expected to be on the job two weeks later.

Austin LBJ made the playoffs in each of Mathis' three seasons, including a trip to the Class 4A Region I final last season. Eventual state champion Lamar Consolidated knocked out LBJ, 17-14, in overtime.

"It had to be the right job," said Mathis, "because there aren't many that I'd leave LBJ for."

In January, DeSoto relieved Dave Meadows of his coaching duties. In seven seasons under Meadows, DeSoto had a 58-27 record and made the playoffs every year.

A group headed by football booster club president Terry Wilkerson led a campaign to oust Meadows at the conclusion of the 2007 season. Meadows remains the athletic director.

"I've always had an open relationship with parents, and I don't see that changing," Mathis said. "I plan on having a parent meeting soon after I sign my contract to give them a chance to meet me."

Mathis considers himself a players' coach. But he said his expectations are high for his players.

"I expect them to be leaders on campus," he said. "I'll bring discipline, but I'll give them a chance to do great things on the field."

Mathis holds Texas State rushing records for a career, season and game.

In his high school playing days, Mathis led Bartlett to two Class A state championships (1990 and '92.)

Age: 33

College: Texas State (1998)

Notable: His participation in Minnesota Vikings camp in 1998 was cut short by injuries. ... Second sport was track and field (sprinter). ... Was a high school assistant coach seven years at Austin Anderson following graduation from college, last five as offensive coordinator. ... As a high school junior, rushed for 2,199 yards and 31 touchdowns for Class A Bartlett despite a broken bone in his foot. ... In January, Mathis was a finalist for the Duncanville job, which went to another Austin-area coach, Jeff Dicus of Lake Travis.