Bethany College - 2007 Football Coaches

2007 Football

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Football Coaches

Jamie Cruce - Head Coach

Jamie Cruce is entering his first season as Head Football Coach for Bethany College in 2007.

Cruce is a 1998 graduate of Bethany College. He holds a master's in physical education from Northern State University (NSU). Cruce graduated from Salina South High School in 1994 and played linebacker at Hutchinson Community College before transferring to Bethany. He was a linebacker on the 1995 and 1996 KCAC championship teams, captained the 1997 team and earned All-KCAC honors. Cruce’s three year playing record while at Bethany was 25-5 including a 22-2 conference record.
Prior to his current appointment, Cruce served as Bethany’s Defensive Coordinator for six seasons. During that time, Cruce led 30 defensive players to All-Conference honors. In addition to his football duties, Cruce served as the school’s Intramural Director.

Before returning to Bethany College in 2001, Cruce spent one season at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD as Linebackers Coach. He served as Linebackers coach and Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at Anderson University in Anderson, IN prior to his appointment at NSU.

Cruce has a son, Dillon and is married to Amy (Jacobs) Cruce of Cheyenne Wells, Colo.

Coaching Accomplishments
2006                 #4 Nationally Ranked Pass Defense (99.5 ypg)

2005                 #2 Nationally Ranked Pass Defense (125.6 ypg)
                          One 1st Team All Conference Defensive Player

2004                 #5 Nationally Ranked Pass Defense (131.1 ypg )
                          #1 Scoring Defense in Conference
                          Allowed 4 Passing Touchdowns
                          Conference Defensive Player of the Year
                          3rd Team All American Defensive Player
                          Two 1st Team All Conference Defensive Players

2003                 One 1st Team All Conference Defensive Player

2002                 One 1st Team All Conference Defensive Player

2001                 Conference Champions
                          Top 20 National Ranking in Total Defense and Pass Defense
                           #1 Scoring Defense in Conference
                          Three 1st Team All Conference Defensive Players

Coaching Background
2007-Present       Bethany College, Head Football Coach
2001-2006            Bethany College, Defensive Coordinator
2000                       Northern State University, Graduate Assistant Linebacker Coach
1999                      Anderson University, Linebacker Coach / Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
1998                       Bethany College, Student Assistant

Jeff Cooper - Assistant Coach

Defensive Line Coach

Everest Martin - Assistant Coach

Offensive Coordinator - Everest Martin
Coach Everest Martin will begin his second season with the Swedes this fall. He comes to Bethany from Minnesota State University Moorhead where he was offensive coordinator and coached the O-line and tight ends in 2004. There he also was strength and conditioning coordinator, in charge of team fundraising and football camps and taught health and physical education classes.

Prior to MSUM, Martin was running back coach at Glendale Community College of Arizona, wide receiver coach at Baker University and also coached in the Arizona Football League. Martin also has worked at numerous college football camps. He is a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

As a player, Martin spent two years at Glendale Community College as a tight end before transferring to the University of South Dakota where he was a full back and tight end. In 2001 Martin again transferred to Wayne State College where he was a defensive end.

Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication with a minor in business administration from the University of South Dakota. He also holds a master’s degree in physical education, sports studies and athletic administration from the University of Kansas.

Coach Martin is engaged to Erika Thompson. They have one son, Tillman Rodney Martin.

Mike Strack - Assistant Coach

Quarterback Coach

Nick Taylor - Assistant Coach

Defensive Coordinator

Coach Taylor begins his first season with the Swedes this fall.

He comes to Bethany from Eureka College in Illinois where he was the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. There he coached the O-line, punting and kicking teams, and was the returners coach. He also was the strength and conditioning coordinator, director of intramural programs and was a physical education instructor.

Prior to Eureka College, Taylor was the assistant football coach at Morningside College for four seasons and also coached the O-line at Toolen High School for one season. Taylor has worked at several football camps. He has played football at the NCAA, NJCAA, and NAIA levels. He is a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and a member of Fellowship Christian Athletes (FCA).

Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in physical education from Sterling College. He also holds a master’s degree in sport science with an emphasis in sport coaching from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala.

Matt Tramel - Recruiting Assistant

Recruiting Assistant and Head Baseball Coach

Steven Baker - Student Assistant

Wide Receiver Coach

James Colburn - Student Assistant

Offensive Line Coach

Larry Harris - Student Assistant

Defensive Back Coach

Tara Weisshaar - Student Assistant

Linebacker Coach