Deland, FL — Stetson University proudly announces the addition of Sheldon Cross to its football coaching staff as the new Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, bringing with him a stellar track record, most recently at Cal Poly.
"I am so excited to join the Stetson Football staff, Coach Young has a tremendous reputation throughout college football. Watching his defenses and the way they have played historically, there is a tremendous opportunity for our offense to match our style, to be an attacking, confident, aggressive and exciting group. Stetson is an amazing place, our players get a top notch education, on a beautiful campus in one of the amazing destinations in the United States," said Cross. "My wife, Catherine, and our family are so excited to be in this community and are blessed to be welcomed to the Hatter family, we look forward to seeing everyone in Spec Martin Stadium in the fall for Hatter Football."
Cross joins Stetson following his tenure at Cal Poly, where he served as the Offensive Coordinator, setting new benchmarks for offensive prowess. His extensive coaching experience includes successful stints at institutions such as Idaho State, New Mexico Highlands, and Iowa Wesleyan, illustrating his versatile skill set and profound impact on player development.
"I am happy to have Sheldon on our staff, he brings experience and success with an offense that fits our personnel. He will bring an attack mentality as a play caller and our players have gravitated towards his passionate coaching style, which we need on our offense," said Brian Young. "The fact most of our players are somewhat familiar with this offensive system has made Sheldon's teaching of the offense somewhat smoother. We look forward to Sheldon and our explosive offense taking off early and become that "Unapologetic Scoring Machine". We can't wait! I'm so glad that he and his family are Stetson Hatters!"
During his time at Cal Poly, Cross orchestrated an offensive revolution, breaking numerous program records. Under his guidance, the team achieved remarkable feats, including setting records for pass completions and touchdown passes in a single game. Additionally, Cross played a pivotal role in the development of standout quarterback Sam Huard, whose stellar performances under Cross's tutelage propelled the team to new heights. Huard's most notable accomplishment was setting the Washington state all-time career passing record of 13,214 yards.
In his stint at Idaho State, Cross played a crucial role in the team's success, contributing to record-breaking offensive performances. He guided the 2014 offense to a school-record 64 touchdowns and a single-season rushing record of 2,567 yards. Additionally, he aided in quarterback Justin Arias, a Walter Payton Award finalist, throwing for 4,076 yards and 38 touchdowns.
At Illinois State, Cross helped lead the team to an FCS playoff appearance and a 9-4 record. The Redbirds' offense excelled, leading the Missouri Valley Football Conference in passing and total offense, averaging over 30 points per game.
Cross also served as offensive coordinator for the West squad in the 2022 All-American Bowl, played last January in San Antonio, Texas, which the West won. The West offense scored 34 points and finished with 450 yards of offense, resulting in West Quarterback Cade Klubnik being named MVP of the game.
Cross's coaching keenness extends beyond the collegiate level, having also made significant contributions at the high school level. As the head coach at Kennedy Catholic High School, he led the team to unprecedented success, securing multiple league titles and playoff berths while nurturing the talents of future collegiate athletes. He lead Kennedy Catholic to a runner-up finish in the Washington state Class 4A playoffs and was subsequently named SBLive Washington State Coach of the Year.
From 2007-2009, Cross spent three years as the head coach at Interlake High School in Bellevue, Wash. There, he achieved a 16-18 record and secured state playoff berths in 2008 and 2009, earning recognition as Kingco Conference Coach of the Year in 2009. The back-to-back trips to state playoffs were the first two for the school in 22 years.
Cross is a graduate of Stadium High School in Tacoma, Wash., where he played quarterback. He continued his playing career at Iowa Wesleyan before transitioning into coaching, eventually earning a bachelor's degree in psychology from Peru State College in Nebraska.
Cross now takes the helm of a Hatters offense that includes former Freshman Offensive Player of the Year QB Brady Meitz and reigning Freshman Offensive Player of the Year WR Ronnel Johnson.
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS.
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