Assumption University football welcomed Cody Cruzen to the Greyhounds’ coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season as the team’s Special Teams Coordinator and Linebackers Coach. A veteran of more than 15 years in the coaching ranks, Cruzen brings a wealth of experience across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III with a proven record of building disciplined defenses and high-performing position groups.
Cruzen arrives in Worcester after serving as Defensive Coordinator at Denison University, where he guided the Big Red defense during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Elevated to coordinator in 2023, he developed a unit that consistently ranked among the conference leaders in takeaways while producing multiple all-league performers in the secondary and linebacker corps.
Prior to Denison, Cruzen spent three seasons at Ohio Northern University, where he worked as Co-Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach. His defenses were among the most aggressive in the Ohio Athletic Conference, highlighted by standout safety Dalton Tjong, who led the league in tackles and tied for the lead in interceptions under Cruzen’s direction.
Cruzen’s career also includes coaching stops at Tiffin University and Ohio Northern (his alma mater), where he began his coaching journey mentoring the secondary. At Tiffin, his defensive backs ranked second in the GLIAC in interceptions, while at ONU he helped the Polar Bears reach the NCAA Division III Playoffs and finish ranked eighth nationally.
A four-year starter at safety for Ohio Northern, Cruzen served as a team captain his senior season and played a key role in the program’s postseason success. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from ONU.
In 2024, his coaching achievements were recognized nationally when he was named a finalist for the inaugural Tampa Bay Buccaneers National Coaching Academy, reflecting his innovative approach to the game and commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field.
