Jamie Cruce became head football coach of the Swedes for the 2007 season. During that year, Cruce and the Swedes tripled their win total from the previous season and had their best record since 2002. Before serving as head coach, Cruce was Bethany's defensive coordinator for six seasons in which he led 30 defensive players to All-Conference honors.

Before returning to Bethany College in 2001, Cruce had served as the linebackers coach at Northern State Univeresity in Aberdeen, S.D., and as the linebackers coach and strength and conditioning coordinator at Anderson University in Anderson, Ind. Cruce also holds a master's degree in physical education from NSU.

Cruce is a 1998 graduate of Bethany College. He was a linebacker on Bethany's 1995 and 1996 KCAC championship teams, captained the team in 1997, and earned All-KCAC honors. His three-year playing record at Bethany was 22-5, including a 22-2 conference record. Cruce also played linebacker at Hutchinson Community College before he transferred to Bethany.
Cruce and his wife, Amy, have four children, Dillon, Ava, Austin and Jacob.

Coaching Accomplishments
Head Coach (4 seasons):
Top 25 in total defense and scoring defense - 2007
#1 player in rushing yards per game (143.2) - 2010
#1 player in total rushing (1,432) - 2010
#1 player in all-purpose yards per game (205.3) - 2010

#1 player in all-purpose yards per game (170.9) - 2011

#2 receiver in yards per game (117.2) - 2010
#3 player in scoring per game (10.8) - 2010
#4 player in rushing yards per game (133.8) - 2008
#8 quarterback in passing yards per game (263.1) - 2009
#11 total offense per game (442.6) - 2010
#13 pass offense per game (267.3) - 2009
#14 pass offense per game (267.3) - 2010
#15 quarterback in passing yards per game (231.6) - 2010

Defensive Coordinator (6 Seasons):
All-American defensive player - 2004
Conference Champions - 2001
Conference Defensive Player of the Year - 2004
Limited Opponents to four passing touchdowns - 2004
Top 20 in total defense and pass defense - 2001
8 First Team All-Conference defensive players
#1 Scoring Defense in Conference - 2001 & 2004
#2 Nationally Ranked Pass Defense (125.6) - 2005
#4 Nationally Ranked Pass Defense (99.5) - 2006
#5 Nationally Ranked Pass Defense (131.1) - 2004
 
Coaching Background
Head Football Coach, Bethany College - 2007 to Present
Defensive Coordinator, Bethany College - 2001 to 2006 Graduate Assistant Linebacker Coach, Northern State University - 2000
Linebacker Coach/Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, Anderson University - 1999
Student Assistant Coach, Bethany College - 1998