Jerod Kruse is in his first season as a member of the Southeastern Louisiana head coach. Kruse will serve as associate head coach and special teams coordinator. The veteran coach will also work with the team’s defensive backs.
Kruse has spent the previous five seasons as the head coach at William Jewell College. While at WJC, Kruse oversaw the program’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. In 2014, he was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year after leading the team to its highest conference finish since 1990. The Cardinals also featured a school-record 11 All-GLVC selections in 2014.
Prior to taking over as the head coach, Kruse was the William Jewell defensive coordinator for two seasons. During his time overseeing the Cardinal defense, it led the Heart of America Conference in third down defense and defense pass efficiency, while finishing in the top three in the conference in every defensive category.
Kruse’s other coaching stints included a season as secondary coordinator at Baker University and five seasons in the same role at Emporia State. During his time at ESU, the Hornets were twice atop the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association in total pass defense per game. Kruse helped Emporia State win a share of the conference championship and qualify in the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2003.
Kruse started his playing career at Coffeyville Junior College, where he was an All-Jayhawk Conference selection and played on two national runner-ups.
He spent his final two seasons at Emporia State, where he was named Special Teams player of the Year as a junior and Most Inspirational Player as a senior.
Kruse earned both his bachelor’s degree in social science (2000) and master’s degree in health and physical education (2007) from Emporia State. He and his wife, Kristin, have a son, Cameron, and a daughter, Marin.
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