Tennessee State University

Jerod Kruse, a 24-year veteran coach at all levels of play, enters his first season with the Tigers as Defensive Secondary Coordinator and Special Teams Coordinator after serving as the Research and Strategy Coach for the Cleveland Browns (NFL) for the 2024 season.

Prior to rejoining the Browns in 2024, Jerod spent 2021-23 doing advance game planning for the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) staff on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. During this time, he also served as a scheme consultant with EA Sports in the development of Madden 22’ & 23’ and NCAA 25’.
 
In 2019-20 Kruse served as the Secondary Coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator for veteran coach Butch Davis at NCAA Div 1, Floridia International University in Miami, FL. In his time with the Panthers the defensive secondary group posted big improvement going from a 67th ranking in overall pass defense at the Div 1 level to 16th overall in just 1 season. They finished the 2019 season with an NCAA ranking of 6th in both 3rd down EPA and QBR against, while ranking 7th in allowing the fewest pass yard per game. In Kruse’s two seasons at FIU, the Panthers boasted 5 defensive backs who signed NFL contracts.

Prior to joining FIU Kruse served the 2017 & 2018 seasons with the Cleveland Browns (NFL), as the Safeties / Assistant Secondary Coach while also assisting on Special Teams. In his time in Cleveland the defensive secondary went from the bottom of the NFL rankings to the Top 10 in just two short seasons, finishing Top 5 in interceptions and passing touchdowns allowed, while ranking in the Top 10 for passing yards per attempt and red zone passing defense.
 
Kruse also helped develop rookie Denzel Ward to a Pro Bowl selection in 2018. Jerod was under interim head coach Gregg Williams while at Cleveland, who he also spent time with at the New Orleans Saints and St. Louis Rams.
Prior to the NFL, Kruse logged 16 years at the collegiate level as well, making stops at Emporia State (2001-06), Baker University (2007), William Jewell College (2008-14) and Southeastern Louisiana (2015).
 
While at William Jewell, Kruse oversaw the program’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. In his final season as the head coach at WJC 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 (NAIA) and five seasons in the same role at Emporia State (NCAA Div II). 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 also played collegiately, starting his career at Coffeyville Junior College (Kansas) where he was an All-Jayhawk Conference selection and played on two national runner-up teams. 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 two daughters, Marin and Reese.