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2008 Football
| Football Coaches |
Jamie Cruce - Head Coach
Jamie Cruce is entering his second season as Head Football Coach for Bethany College.
During his first year at the helm, Cruce and the Swedes tripled their win total from the previous season as they had their best record since the 2002 season. A fourth-place finish was in sharp contrast to the preseason polls, which had Bethany picked to finish last in the KCAC.
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 is married to Amy (Jacobs) Cruce of Cheyenne Wells, Colo. The couple has two children, Dillon and Ava.
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
Everest Martin - Assistant Coach
Everest Martin will begin his third season with the Swedes this fall, and second as Offensive Coordinator. In 2007, the Swede's offensive showed a steady improvement in many areas including finishing the season with considerable improvements in TOTAL YARDS PER GAME (+93), TOTAL RUSHING YARDS (+591) and RUSH YARDS PER GAME (+51). Other areas of improvement for 2007 season included PASSING YARDS PER GAME, POINTS PER GAME, TOTAL PASSING/RECEIVING YARDS, FIRST DOWNS, 3RD DOWN PERCENTAGE, and PASSING EFFICIENCY. Along with his coaching duties, Coach Martin is also an instructor in the Health and Education department.
Prior to Bethany College, Coach Martin was the Offensive Coordinator at Minnesota State University Moorhead. During his stay at MSUM he held the responsibilities of Recruiting Coordinator, Camp Coordinator, Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, and administered team fundraising activities, in which over $20,000 was raised for the program. On the field, Coach Martin was in charge of Offensive Backs (2005), and Offensive Line/TE (2004). In November 2004, Coach Martin assumed the responsibilities of Interim Head Coach for the MSUM football program until February 2005. Off the field, he served as an instructor in the Health and Physical Education department.
Coach Martin began his collegiate coaching career as an Assistant Coach for Baker University, in Baldwin City, KS. He was in charge of coaching the Wide Receivers and Co-Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the football program. Other duties included Offensive Coordinator for the Baker University JV Football Program and assisting in fundraising activities. Other coaching stints include Glendale Community College (Summer 2004) and Arizona Football League (1995 - 1999), as well as numerous camps through out the Midwest.
In 1994, Martin graduated from Greenway High School in Phoenix, AZ. As a two year letter winner, Martin was an All-Region performer at tight end his senior season. In 1997 and 1998, Martin continued his playing career for Glendale Community College in Glendale, AZ. As a tight end for the Gauchos, he was part of 1997 Valley of the Sun Bowl Champions. Martin then relocated to the Midwest to play tight end for The University of South Dakota, and then finished his career as a defensive end at Wayne State College in Wayne, NE.
Coach 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 active in the area communities as the Umpire in Chief for the City of Salina baseball organizations and is an active member with the American Football Coaches Association since 2002. Coach Martin is married to the former Erika Thompson of Watertown, SD. They have one son, Tillman Rodney Martin.
Nick Taylor - Assistant Coach
Coach Taylor begins his second season with the Swedes this fall. Defensively, the Swedes showed improved play throughout the year finishing the season ranked 23rd in the NAIA in Total Defense and finishing third in the NAIA in Pass Defense per game. Along with his coaching duties Coach Taylor serves as the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Swedes and is also the Intramural Director.
Before arriving at Bethany, Coach Taylor was the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Eureka College. In addition to his Offensive Coordinator duties, he coached the Kickers, Punters and Returners. His other responsibilities included being the team's Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, being an Instructor of Physical Education and being the Intramural Director.
Prior to Eureka, Taylor was an assistant football coach at Morningside College for four seasons. While at Morningside, Coach Taylor served as the Defensive Line Coach, Defensive Backs Coach, Strength and Conditioning Coordinator and as the Special Teams Coordinator.
Coach Taylor began his coaching career at McGill-Toolen High School in Mobile, Alabama for one season where he was the Offensive Line Coach and Junior Varsity Head Coach. He has worked at several football camps throughout his career.
Taylor played football at the NCAA DIV 3, NJCAA and NAIA levels. He finished his playing career and 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, Alabama.
He is an active member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). He is also the Bethany College Huddle Coach for The Fellowship Christian Athletes (FCA) and is continuing to assist in the running of the Special Teams Ministries here at Bethany College. Coach Taylor and his wife Trace reside here in Lindsborg.
Steven Baker - Assistant Coach
Quarterbacks - Running Backs
The 2008 season will be Baker's second as a coach for the Swedes. he was a quarterback on the football team from 2003-2006. A three-year starter, Baker was a four-time conference player of the week selection. He was the 2004 NAIA Football Player of the Year.
Off the field, Baker, originally from Alvin, Texas, will graduate with a degree in history and political science.
James Colburn - Assistant Coach
Offensive Line
The 2008 season will be Colburn's second as a coach for the Swedes. He was a member of the football team from 2003-2006. He earned all-conference honorable mention as an offensive lineman in 2004.
Off the field, Colburn, originally from Pasadena, Texas, will graduate with a degree in history and political science.
Tuinauvai Lafo - Assistant Coach
Tight End/Tackle Coach
Coach Lafo began his first season as assistant coach for the Swedes in 2008.
Lafo graduated from Benedictine College with a bachelor's degree in business marketing. There he played football two years.
Prior to Benedictine, Lafo played football at Glendale Community College (Ariz.) and Hunter High School in West Valley, Utah.
He is the son of Simione and Akanesi Lomu. He has two brothers, three sisters and was recently engaged to Sarah Pele of San Francisco, Calif.
Jay Corwin - Assistant Coach
Assistant Defense Coach
Coach Corwin began his first season as assistant coach for the Swedes in 2008.
Corwin graduated from Bethany College with a degree in biology. He was a member of the football team from 2004-2007. In 2005 Corwin was named Special Teams Player of the Year. In addition to football, Corwin also was a member of the track and field team, competing in the long jump and triple jump.
Currently Corwin is a chemist at Hospira in McPherson, Kan. He is the son of Robert and Jayme Corwin of Quinter, Kan.
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Swedes vs. Coyotes 2007 BC Football Spring 2008 Highlight Film
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