Alex Krutsch joined the University of West Florida football coaching staff in 2014 as one of the first defensive coaches in school history. He serves as the Argonauts' recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach.
In four seasons, the UWF defensive line has been one of the most consistent units on the team.
In the 2019 National Championship season, the Argonauts led the country with 24 fumbles recovered and were second in turnovers forced with 37. They were strong inside the red zone, limiting opponents to 65 percent scoring success to lead the GSC and rank 20th nationally.
Lineman Ian Bush was named First Team All-GSC after he led the league with 15.5 tackles for loss.
UWF's defense was especially strong in the run to the 2017 NCAA Division 2 National Championship game, holding opponents to an average of 258 yards per game in the six games leading up to the title contest. That year John Williamson broke the GSC single-season sacks record with 14.5 on his way to Second Team All-America honors.
Krutsch came to UWF with five years of coaching experience in all three divisions of the NCAA. His most recent stop was defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at UNC Pembroke, where he coached for two seasons in 2013-14. During his first year at UNCP, the Braves went 9-2 and finished 15th in the final Division II national coaches’ poll. He helped lead the defense to national top 25 statistical rankings in rushing defense and third down conversion rate. He also helped mentor first team all-region defensive end Matt Turner, who led UNCP with 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.
Prior to UNCP, Krutsch spent two years as a graduate assistant defensive line coach at his alma mater Northern Illinois from 2010-11, and he spent one year as a defensive line coach at Division III North Central in 2012. He served a variety of roles at Northern Illinois, where he worked with the defensive line as well as overseeing the team’s video department. In 2011 Krutsch was mentored by former University of Minnesota head coach and 2014 Big Ten Coach of the Year, Jerry Kill. At North Central he helped lead the team to its seventh straight College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin title and an automatic berth to the Division III playoffs.
Krutsch was a four-year letterwinner at NIU from 2005-08, playing in 38 career games with 29 starts. He collected 85 tackles - 36 solo, 14 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. The former walk-on student-athlete earned a scholarship prior to the 2007 season that saw him earn all-Mid-American Conference accolades after turning in 44 tackles (22 solo), including 6.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Krutsch earned the Jawan Jackson Award, given to a walk-on or former walk-on who makes the greatest impact, following that standout season, and he served as team captain as a senior in 2008. He also helped the Huskies to appearances in the 2006 Poinsettia Bowl and the 2008 Independence Bowl.
Krutsch, a native of Schaumburg, Ill., received his bachelor’s degree in organizational and corporate communication from Northern Illinois in 2008, and he also received his master’s degree in sports management in 2011. He is married to the former Samantha Lawson of Carol Stream, Ill. and the couple welcomed a daughter, Paizley James, in December of 2018.
Krutsch’s Coaching Resume
2010-11: Northern Illinois (Graduate Assistant)
2012: North Central (Ill.) (Defensive Line)
2013-14: UNC Pembroke (Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator)
2015-present: West Florida (Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator)
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