Cody Cruzen enters his second year on staff at Muskingum. He will serve as the Defensive Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator.

Most recently, Cruzen was a graduate assistant at Ball State University working in the secondary before coming to Muskingum in late summer.

Prior to Ball State, Cruzen coached the secondary at The University of Dayton and worked with the special teams’ unit from 2014-2016. During his two years at UD, the Flyers compiled an 18-5 record, winning the Pioneer Football League Championship in 2015 and earning an appearance in the FCS Playoffs. In the secondary, Cruzen coached two First Team All-PFL members at the corner position, Cameron Stubbs and Christian Searles. Searles also earned First Team All-PFL as a punt return specialist. Cruzen also coached Nick Kaczkowski who was the PFL Special Teams Player of the Year. During his two years at UD the Flyers racked in 38 interceptions, including 21 in 2015 which ranked them second in the FCS.

Prior to joining UD, Cruzen coached at Tiffin University for one season. There he served as a graduate assistant on defense working in the secondary and also was the teams video coordinator. During the 2013 season, Tiffin’s defense compiled 15 interceptions which ranked them second in the GLIAC. Cruzen also coached future Arizona Cardinals safety Brandon Person, who was an All-GLIAC selection.

Prior to joining the staff at Tiffin, Cruzen coached at his alma matter Ohio Northern University for two seasons. He coached in the secondary primarily working with the safeties. During those two years, Cruzen coached First Team All-OAC safety Chad Coward and Stars and Stripes members Chad Coward and Cory Spelman.

Cruzen played his collegiate football at Ohio Northern University from 2007-2010. During those four years, ONU compiled a record of 30-12 which was capped off by a 10-2 season in 2010 and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Division-III Playoffs. ONU finished the 2010 season ranked no. 8 in the final D-III National Polls. Cruzen was a four-year player at safety and played on a defense that in 2010 allowed only 156.5 pass yards per game and finished the year with 26 interceptions.

Cruzen earned a B.A. in Physical and Health Education from Ohio Northern University in 2011. He now resides in New Concord.