Kruzel enters his third season on the Thunder Women’s Basketball staff for the 2026-27 season, coming to Angola from NAIA Midland College in Nebraska. He serves as the program's associate head coach.
In his two seasons in Angola, Kruzel has helped guide the Thunder to a pair of MIAA Championships and 31 consecutive conference wins. The Thunder have had six players named to the All-MIAA teams in Kruzel's time, most notably in the 2024-25 season when Sidney Wagner became the first player in program history to earn MIAA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season. Wagner was named a consensus All-American that same season. In 2025-26, Annika Southworth became the first freshman in program history to be named first team All-MIAA.
At Midland, Kruzel served as the offensive coordinator, head of scouting, and recruiting coordinator. Kruzel was responsible for 22 commitments during his time at Midland and coached two All Conference Honorable-Mentions in his time.
Kruzel acquired a master’s degree in science in Organizational Management from Wayne State College while being a graduate assistant for Peru State College. During that time, Kruzel was the Peru State Women's Basketball Camp Director, Player Development Specialist, and Head Coach of JV. He assisted the program to their most wins in 10 years and was co-head of scout and opposing player personnel.
Kruzel acquired his Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies from Mount St. Joseph University. At Mount St. Joseph University. Kruzel served as a student assistant and helped lead the program to the most wins in the past 20 years, achieved three conference tournament berths, was head of scouting and team academics, and served as an interim assistant for 13 games. Kruzel coached several athletes who made 1st and 2nd team all-conference in their respective conference.
