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Eric Crouch
Eric Crouch
Eric Crouch
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Eric Eugene Crouch (born November 16, 1978) is an American former college football player who was a quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He won the Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Award, and Davey O'Brien Award in 2001. Running Nebraska's option offense that year,[2] he completed 105 of 189 passes for 1,510 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,115 yards and 18 touchdowns. He played professionally as a safety in NFL Europe and as a quarterback in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and United Football League (UFL).

Key Information

Crouch appeared on the cover of the video game NCAA College Football 2K3. He also is a TV sports analyst and recreational equipment vendor.

Early life

[edit]

Crouch attended Millard North High School in Omaha, Nebraska graduating in 1997. As a senior, Crouch ran for 1,277 yards and 15 touchdowns adding 543 passing yards and 5 touchdowns. Crouch was named Gatorade High School Player of the Year for the state of Nebraska.[3] He finished his high school career with 5,134 yards of total offense.[4]

Crouch also ran Track & Field focusing on the sprints. He placed 2nd and 4th in the State Championships in the 100 meter and 200 meter races, respectively.[5] His 10.4 second 100 meter mark, ranks him tied for 5th all time in Nebraska.[6]

College career

[edit]

Ankle surgery forced Crouch to redshirt for the 1997 co-national championship-winning season.[7] In 1998, Bobby Newcombe began the season as the starting quarterback, but he was sidelined by a knee injury after the first game and Crouch took over the starting duties. Against UAB, Crouch rushed for two touchdowns and completed 11 of 17 passes in his first career start. 1998 proved to be a chaotic season for the Cornhuskers. Crouch made another start before being replaced by a healthy Bobby Newcombe. Newcombe started the next five games, but was pulled in the middle of a game because of a PCL strain. Senior walk-on, Monte Christo, took over for Newcombe, and started the following week against Texas. With Texas leading 10–0 in the middle of the second quarter, Christo was pulled and replaced by Crouch. Crouch remained the starter for the rest of the season, which ended with a 23–20 loss to Arizona in the Holiday Bowl.

The next fall Newcombe was named the starting quarterback, and it was rumored that Crouch might leave the team. Crouch, however, was given significant playing time in the first and second games. He started the third game against Southern Mississippi, and Newcombe moved to wingback. Crouch led Nebraska in a season that saw NU avenge its only loss of the season in a rematch against Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game. The Cornhuskers finished the season with a 12–1 record and ranked No. 3 after defeating Tennessee in the Fiesta Bowl.

Crouch started every game in the 2000 season, which ended with a 66–17 trouncing of Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl. Nebraska's only losses during the 10–2 season were to eventual national champion, Oklahoma Sooners, and the Kansas State Wildcats.

In 2001 Crouch had his best year, breaking school or NCAA records almost weekly and appearing to be a serious contender for the Heisman Trophy. In the first game of the 2001 season, a 21–7 defeat of TCU, Crouch surpassed Tommie Frazier as Nebraska's all-time total offense leader. He became the Big 12 all-time career rushing quarterback in the emotionally charged game against Rice. The next week, against Missouri, Crouch was backed up near the goal line when he scrambled to escape from defenders and pulled off a 95-yard touchdown run, the longest in school history. Against Iowa State the following week, Crouch broke the record for career touchdowns by a quarterback. Crouch became only the fourth player in Division 1 history to both pass and rush for 3,000 yards in a career with his performance against Texas Tech. Next, in a hard-fought game against defending national champion Oklahoma, Crouch again showed off his speed and playmaking abilities, this time serving as quarterback and receiver in a single play, the famous "Black 41 Flash Reverse" in which Crouch made a 63-yard touchdown reception. By mid-November Crouch had set a school record for most career wins as a starter and became only the ninth quarterback in D-1A history to have won 35 games as a starter. The Cornhuskers were 11–0 going into the annual contest with Colorado the day after Thanksgiving. While playing from behind the whole game, Crouch set the school record for offense yards in a single game with 360 yards. The Nebraska defense was dominated by the Buffaloes, however, and gave up a then-record 62 points to Colorado. The 62–36 loss did not end Nebraska's hopes of playing for the national championship and Crouch's chances of winning the Heisman. Two weeks later, Crouch was announced as the recipient of the award, edging out Florida's Rex Grossman and Miami's Ken Dorsey in the closest Heisman ballot since 1985. His outstanding season also was recognized when he won the Davey O'Brien Award for being the best collegiate quarterback in the nation during the 2001 season. In the meantime several highly ranked teams were upset and in the final BCS rankings, Nebraska beat out one-loss Oregon and two-loss Colorado to earn the No. 2 spot in the BCS rankings. The final BCS rankings were steeped in controversy since Nebraska had the chance to play in the Rose Bowl for the national championship despite not winning a conference or division championship. In the Rose Bowl on January 3, 2002, Crouch rushed for 114 yards against the Miami Hurricanes but was denied a touchdown for the first time since September, 1999. The No. 1 Hurricanes defeated the Cornhuskers 37–14, leaving Crouch with a 35–7 record as a starting quarterback.[8]

Awards

[edit]

Records

[edit]
  • One of three quarterbacks in Division I-A history to rush for 3,000 and pass for 4,000 yards in a career
  • 13th player in NCAA to rush and pass for 1,000 in a season (1,115 rushing, 1,510 passing)
  • Nebraska career total offense leader with 7,915 yards
  • Former Nebraska single-season total offense leader with 2,688 yards
  • Former Nebraska single-game total offense record of 360 yards
  • Nebraska career total-offense touchdown leader with 88
  • Owns Nebraska career record for most rushing yards by a quarterback (3,434)
  • NCAA record for most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (59)
  • Most rushing attempts by a Husker quarterback (648)
  • Former Nebraska total TD passes in a game (5 vs. Iowa)
  • Most rushing TDs in a game by a quarterback (4 vs. Kansas)
  • Set a QB record for most rushing TDs in a season (20)
  • Set school records in 2001 for most rushing attempts in a season for a quarterback (203)
  • Most total offense yards by a sophomore (2,158)
  • Tied an NCAA record by scoring a TD via run, pass, reception in the same game (vs. University of California, Berkeley, 1999)
  • Nebraska school record longest run from scrimmage, 95 yards (vs. Missouri, 2001)

College statistics

[edit]
Season Team Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rate Att Yds Avg TD
1997 Nebraska Redshirt Redshirt
1998 Nebraska 8 5 4–1 49 101 48.5 601 6.0 4 4 103.6 96 459 4.8 5
1999 Nebraska 12 10 9–1 83 160 51.9 1,269 7.9 7 4 127.9 180 889 4.9 16
2000 Nebraska 11 11 9–2 75 156 48.1 1,101 7.1 11 7 121.3 169 971 5.7 20
2001 Nebraska 12 12 11–1 105 189 55.6 1,510 8.0 7 10 124.3 203 1,115 5.5 18
Total 43 38 33–5 312 606 51.5 4,481 7.4 29 25 121.1 648 3,434 5.3 59

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Wonderlic
5 ft 11+7⁄8 in
(1.83 m)		 195 lb
(88 kg)		 30+1⁄4 in
(0.77 m)		 9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		 4.47 s 1.57 s 2.62 s 4.02 s 6.87 s 36 in
(0.91 m)		 9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)		 24
All values from NFL Combine[9][10]

NFL and NFL Europe

[edit]

Crouch was initially drafted by the St. Louis Rams of the NFL as a wide receiver, but still wanted to play quarterback.[11] Crouch, however, was seen by NFL teams as being too short to play quarterback. His athleticism was seen as better suited for playing wideout. However, he suffered an injury to his leg that involved a huge buildup of blood that saw him drained twice and months of recovery. Crouch did not travel with the team to the season opener against the Denver Broncos on September 8.[12] On September 10, Rams head coach Mike Martz stated that Crouch was still "light years away from playing."[12] Crouch retired from football on September 11, 2002.[12] In 2009, Crouch denied that he refused to play wide receiver when it came to leaving the Rams.[13] He was waived by the Rams on April 18, 2003.[14]

Crouch was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers on April 23, 2003, as a kick returner and quarterback.[14][15] He retired again on July 21, 2003.[16] In March 2004, he was reactivated by the Packers to try out for the team at free safety.[17] Crouch was released on June 2, 2004.[14]

Crouch signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in January 2005, and was allocated to the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europe.[14] He played in eight games, starting seven, as a safety for the Sea Devils during the 2005 NFL Europe season, recording 23 tackles on defense, two tackles on special teams, and two pass breakups.[1] He was released by the Chiefs on June 7, 2005.[14]

CFL

[edit]

Crouch's opportunity to play quarterback at the professional level finally came when he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League on February 15, 2006 as a quarterback.[14] (The Argonauts had owned his CFL rights for several years.) In his inaugural CFL season Crouch eventually became the fourth-string quarterback in Toronto, behind Damon Allen, Michael Bishop, and Spergon Wynn. On July 22, 2006, Crouch made his regular season CFL debut against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina, Saskatchewan. Coming in at the start of the second half following an injury to Wynn, Crouch sealed the win for Toronto with solid play, including a 94-yard pass completion to Arland Bruce III. Overall, he dressed in seven games for the Argonauts during the 2006 season, completing six of 13 passes for 127 yards and one interception.[1]

In 2007 Crouch was expected to battle Michael Bishop, Damon Allen, Mike McMahon and Tom Arth for the Argos' starting quarterback position, but he eventually faltered because of injury. He began the season on the nine-week disabled list.[18][19] After coming off the disabled list, Crouch was released by the Argonauts on September 6, 2007.[14]

AAFL

[edit]

On September 25, 2007, Crouch signed with the upstart All-American Football League. He was drafted 3rd overall by Team Texas on January 26, 2008, in the first round of the league's inaugural draft. He was, however, released from his contract (along with all AAFL players) when the league canceled its debut season.

UFL

[edit]

On April 9, 2011, Crouch attended a public workout for the United Football League's Omaha Nighthawks.[20] On June 8, 2011, Crouch accepted an invitation to attend the Nighthawks mini-camp.[21][22] On June 10, 2011, he was added to the Nighthawks official roster.[23] He played in, and started, one game for the Nighthawks during the 2011 season, completing nine of 24 passes for 124 yards and one interception.[1] He was placed on injured reserve on September 21, 2011, and became a free agent after the season.[14]

Coaching career

[edit]

Crouch served as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at Midland University from 2018 to 2021.[24][25]

Post-playing career

[edit]

Eric Crouch was a sales territory manager for a major medical device manufacturer in the US. Currently, Crouch is a vendor of playground and recreation equipment at Crouch Recreation in Omaha, Nebraska.[26]

He has been a TV studio analyst for KETV Channel 7 in Omaha, and a studio analyst on Versus. Crouch joined Fox College Football as an In-Game Analyst for FX in 2013.[27]

In August 2025, Millard North High School renamed a road into the school as Eric Crouch Street.[28]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Eric Crouch

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Eric Eugene Crouch (born November 16, 1978) is an American former football player best known as a record-setting for the , where he won the 2001 and led the team to the . Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Crouch excelled as a multi-sport athlete at Millard North High School, amassing 5,134 total yards and 69 touchdowns in his prep career, including 3,463 passing yards and 1,671 rushing yards. At Nebraska from 1998 to 2001, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound quarterback revolutionized the option offense, becoming only the third player in NCAA history to rush for over 3,000 yards (3,434) and pass for over 4,000 yards (4,481) in a career while setting 32 school records, including for quarterback rushing yards and total touchdowns responsible for (88). In his senior year, Crouch earned First-Team All-American honors as both a quarterback and all-purpose player, the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, and the Heisman, finishing with 1,115 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, and 7 passing touchdowns to guide the No. 2-ranked Cornhuskers to an 11-2 record before a 37-14 loss to Miami in the Rose Bowl. Selected in the third round (95th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams as a wide receiver despite his quarterback background, Crouch's professional career was brief, as he retired in September 2002 after training camp due to lingering injuries from college that limited his performance. He briefly returned in 2005, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs and playing eight games (starting seven) as a safety for the Hamburg Sea Devils in NFL Europe, recording 23 tackles. He later had brief stints as a quarterback with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL in 2006 and the Omaha Nighthawks in the UFL in 2011, retiring after his 11th football-related surgery following the 2011 season. Post-retirement, Crouch transitioned to business, initially serving as a sales territory manager for a major medical company before founding Crouch Recreation, a firm specializing in recreational equipment sales, and working as a TV sports analyst. As of November 2025, he remains engaged with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, appearing at practices to mentor current players. In 2020, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his legacy as one of Nebraska's most dynamic and inspirational leaders.

Early life and education

High school career

Eric Crouch honed his athletic talents at Millard North High School in , emerging as a standout on the football field and a speedster in . During his high school career, he demonstrated exceptional versatility, contributing significantly to his team's offensive output through both rushing and passing plays. In his senior year of , Crouch rushed for 1,277 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing passes for 543 yards and five more scores, showcasing his ability to impact games in multiple ways. Over his entire preparatory tenure spanning three years, he accumulated 5,134 total yards of offense and 69 touchdowns, with 3,463 of those yards coming on the ground and 50 rushing touchdowns highlighting his rushing prowess. His senior-season performance earned him the prestigious Player of the Year award, recognizing him as the top player in the state. Crouch also excelled in track, clocking a 10.4-second time in the 100-meter dash and capturing the Metro Conference championship in the event during his time at Millard North. He graduated in 1997, drawing attention from major college programs, including the University of Nebraska, where his skills as a dynamic aligned with the Cornhuskers' .

Family background

Eric Crouch was born on November 16, 1978, in . He grew up in a single-parent household after his parents, Ron and Susan Crouch, divorced when he was three years old, with his mother, Susan Sanchez, raising him and his younger brother, Kyle, in Omaha. Sanchez worked long hours, often leaving young to help care for Kyle, fostering a close-knit and resilient family dynamic in their Omaha home. Crouch's early exposure to sports, particularly football, came through local community programs in Omaha, where he began playing organized football at age eight. He maintained strong ties to Omaha throughout his life, attending Millard North High School and later establishing Crouch Recreation, a family-owned business, in the city. In recognition of his contributions and lifelong connection to the community, a portion of 144th Street near Millard North High School was renamed "Eric Crouch Street" in a ceremony on August 27, 2025.

College career

Nebraska Cornhuskers tenure

Eric Crouch joined the as a true in 1997 but redshirted the season after suffering an ankle , preserving a year of eligibility while the team won the . As a redshirt in 1998, he appeared in 11 games, including starts in place of the injured Bobby Newcombe, gaining valuable experience in Nebraska's option-based offense. Crouch fully emerged as the starting in 1999, taking over the role following the departure of prior signal-callers in the post-Tommie Frazier era, and he held the position for the remainder of his college career, starting every game from 2000 onward. Crouch's dual-threat ability as a became a hallmark of his tenure, blending precise passing with explosive rushing in Nebraska's veer option system, which powered the team's consistent success in the , including co-championships in 1999 and 2000. Iconic plays underscored his versatility, such as a school-record 95-yard run against in 2001, where he broke free from the goal line to score and shift momentum in a tight contest. Another memorable moment came later that year against , when Crouch executed the "Black 41 Flash Reverse"—a in which he handed off, reversed field, and caught a pass from Mike Stuntz—breaking the Sooners' unbeaten streak and energizing the Huskers' campaign. As a senior in 2001, Crouch exemplified leadership by serving as one of five team captains, becoming the first in a to earn the honor and guiding the squad through a challenging schedule. He shared the Guy Chamberlin Trophy that year with Tracey Wistrom, an award recognizing the most inspirational player on the roster. His overall contributions helped Nebraska compile a 55-9 record during his five seasons, establishing him as a pivotal figure in the program's early resurgence before culminating in his standout senior year.

2001 Heisman-winning season

In his senior season of 2001, Eric Crouch led the to an 11-2 record, securing a share of the Big 12 North Division title and a berth in the Rose Bowl as part of the . Operating Nebraska's , Crouch exemplified play by leading the team in rushing with 1,115 yards and 18 touchdowns on 203 carries, while also completing 105 of 189 passes for 1,510 yards and seven touchdowns. His ground game accounted for a significant portion of the team's offensive output, as Nebraska ranked among the nation's top rushing attacks, averaging over 300 yards per game. Crouch's versatility shone in key Big 12 matchups that highlighted his elusiveness and playmaking ability. Against No. 3 on October 27, Nebraska secured a 20-10 victory, with Crouch contributing crucially by catching a 63-yard pass on the innovative "Black 41 Flash Reverse" play from backup quarterback Mike Stuntz, sealing the win and boosting his Heisman candidacy. Later, in the regular-season finale against on November 23, despite a lopsided 62-36 loss that ended Nebraska's national title hopes, Crouch rushed 18 times for 162 yards, demonstrating his speed and toughness even in defeat. Crouch's outstanding campaign culminated in him winning the on December 8, 2001, in one of the closest races in the award's history, earning 770 points from 162 first-place votes, 98 second-place votes, and 88 third-place votes to edge out Florida's by 62 points. The season concluded in the on January 3, where No. 2 fell 37-14 to No. 1 , but Crouch provided a highlight with a 37-yard run in the fourth quarter, his final collegiate score that underscored his enduring impact on the program.

Awards and honors

During his senior season at the University of Nebraska in 2001, Eric Crouch earned the , recognizing him as the most outstanding player in . The award, presented annually since 1935, honors the nation's top player based on exceptional performance and leadership, and Crouch's selection highlighted his versatility as a in Nebraska's . That same year, Crouch received the , given to the nation's most outstanding player by the Football Foundation. Established in 1959 and named after the father of , the award underscores a player's overall impact, and Crouch's win reflected his pivotal role in guiding the Cornhuskers to an 11-2 record. Crouch also captured the in 2001, which annually recognizes the top quarterback in NCAA Division I-A football. Founded in 1977 and named for the legendary TCU signal-caller, the award emphasizes passing excellence and quarterback leadership, marking Crouch as a standout despite his run-heavy style. Among other notable recognitions that season, Crouch was a finalist for the , which honors the player of the year regardless of position. He was additionally named a consensus First-Team All-American, earning selections from major outlets like the as both a and all-purpose player, affirming his elite status among national talent. In 2020, Crouch was inducted into the as part of the class announced by the National Football Foundation, celebrating his career achievements and lasting legacy in the sport. The honor, which recognizes players for on-field excellence and contributions to the game, positioned him alongside other Heisman winners and gridiron icons.

Statistical achievements

During his college career at the University of from 1998 to 2001, Eric Crouch amassed impressive dual-threat statistics as a , totaling 4,481 passing yards and 3,434 rushing yards, which made him one of only three s in NCAA history to achieve over 3,000 rushing yards and 4,000 passing yards in a career. He completed 312 of 606 passes for a 51.5% completion rate, throwing 29 passing touchdowns, while rushing for 59 touchdowns on 648 carries, contributing to a career total of 88 touchdowns responsible for. Crouch's most prolific season came in 2001, when he rushed for 1,115 yards and 18 touchdowns on 203 carries, setting personal highs in both categories and powering Nebraska's to significant gains on the ground. That year, he also passed for 1,510 yards and 7 touchdowns on 105 completions out of 189 attempts, demonstrating his versatility in balancing passing and rushing duties. Crouch established several records at , including the school marks for most rushing yards by a (3,434) and most rushing touchdowns by a (59), along with the total-offense touchdowns record (88). In the , he set the career record for rushing yards by a (3,434), highlighting his exceptional mobility within the conference framework.

Professional playing career

NFL draft and early attempts

Eric Crouch was selected by the in the third round, 95th overall, of the , despite his successful tenure as a at the University of Nebraska. The Rams drafted him as a , a position shift influenced by his dual-threat college style but driven by evaluations that highlighted limitations for NFL quarterbacking. Scouts noted concerns over his size—listed at 6 feet and 205 pounds—and arm strength, leading the team to project him as a slot receiver capable of leveraging his speed and athleticism in that role. Crouch signed a three-year contract with the Rams shortly after the draft, but he retired from the team in September 2002, forfeiting his signing bonus amid frustrations with the position transition. He was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers on April 23, 2003, where he briefly trained as both a quarterback and kick returner during minicamp. However, facing limited prospects for playing time behind established players like Brett Favre, Crouch announced his retirement from the NFL again on July 22, 2003. In March 2004, the Packers reactivated Crouch from the reserve/retired list for a tryout, allowing him another opportunity to compete, but he was released on June 2, 2004. Later that year, Crouch pursued a brief stint with the , signing as a in January 2005 and training as a , though he was released in June 2005 without appearing in a regular-season game. These early attempts marked the end of his pursuits in the league, as he shifted focus to international and minor professional opportunities thereafter.

International and minor leagues

After retiring from his initial NFL pursuits, Eric Crouch pursued opportunities in international and minor professional leagues. In 2005, Crouch signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and was assigned to the Hamburg Sea Devils of , where he transitioned to playing . He appeared in eight games for the Sea Devils, starting seven, and recorded 25 tackles along with two pass knockdowns during the team's 5-5 season. Crouch returned to the position in 2006 when he signed as a with the of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He dressed for seven games but appeared in only one, completing 6 of 13 passes for 127 yards with one . In 2008, Crouch joined the All-American Football League (AAFL), signing with the league in September 2007 and being selected third overall in its inaugural player draft by Team . However, the AAFL folded before playing any games, resulting in no on-field action for Crouch. Crouch attempted a comeback in 2010 with the United Football League (UFL)'s , his hometown team, and remained on the roster into 2011. He started one game as that year, completing 9 of 24 passes for 124 yards with zero touchdowns and one , while rushing six times for 27 yards, before being placed on injured reserve due to injury. The Nighthawks finished 0-6 in 2011, and the UFL suspended operations after the season, effectively ending Crouch's professional playing career.

Career statistics

Eric Crouch's football career was marked by limited statistical output, primarily due to his transition from to and across various leagues, resulting in no regular-season appearances in the and sparse playing time elsewhere. His overall totals include 15 completions on 37 passing attempts for 251 yards, zero passing touchdowns, and two interceptions, along with 12 rushing attempts for 63 yards and no rushing scores; defensively, he recorded 25 tackles and two pass deflections in . In the , Crouch appeared only in preseason games with teams including the , , and between 2002 and 2005, but he accumulated no official regular-season statistics. Crouch's most notable professional statistics came in with the 2005 , where he played in eight games (seven starts) and recorded 25 tackles and two pass deflections. In the Canadian Football League, Crouch spent time with the 2006 and 2007 , dressing for seven games in 2006 without a start; his lone statistical appearance was in one game, where he completed 6 of 13 passes for 127 yards, threw zero touchdowns and one interception, and rushed six times for 36 yards. Crouch's brief United Football League stint with the 2011 consisted of one start, in which he completed 9 of 24 passes for 124 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception, while rushing six times for 27 yards; he also recorded one before being placed on injured reserve.
LeagueYearTeamGP/GSPassing (Comp/Att, Yds, TD-INT)Rushing (Att, Yds, TD)Defensive (Tkl, PD)
2005Hamburg Sea Devils8/7--25, 2
CFL20067/06/13, 127, 0-16, 36, 0-
UFL20111/19/24, 124, 0-16, 27, 01, -
Career Totals--16/815/37, 251, 0-212, 63, 026, 2

Post-football endeavors

Coaching roles

After retiring from his professional playing career, Eric Crouch transitioned into coaching by joining the staff at , an NAIA institution in , in 2018. He was hired as an assistant football coach with primary responsibilities for the running backs and special teams units for the Midland Warriors. In this role, Crouch coordinated the special teams and directly coached the running backs, drawing on his experience as a versatile to emphasize technique, player development, and game preparation. He served in this position during the 2018 season, contributing to the program's efforts at the NAIA level. Crouch's Heisman Trophy-winning background provided unique mentorship opportunities, as he shared insights from his college success to inspire and guide players, focusing on both on-field performance and personal growth. He left the Midland staff after the 2018 season and has not taken on any further formal roles as of 2025.

Broadcasting and media work

After retiring from professional football, Eric Crouch transitioned into sports , beginning locally as a reporter for in , in 2003. He quickly expanded into game analysis, serving as the for a pay-per-view telecast of a game that same year. In 2012, Crouch joined as an in-game analyst for , providing color commentary and insights into play. His role extended to the , where he offered sideline analysis during broadcasts, drawing on his experience as a former Heisman Trophy-winning to enhance his credibility in breaking down option offenses and Big Ten matchups, particularly those involving . Crouch's Heisman background has bolstered his media presence, allowing him to provide authoritative commentary on quarterback decision-making and running quarterback strategies. By 2015, he continued contributing as a college football analyst for and the . As of 2025, Crouch maintains part-time involvement in media through guest appearances and advisory roles, such as his November 2025 visit to a football practice, where he mentored freshman TJ Lateef with encouragement to "let it rip" ahead of his first start. This work complements his other post-football pursuits, focusing on occasional insights for and Big Ten games.

Business and personal life

After retiring from professional football, Eric Crouch co-owns Crouch Recreation, a family-operated in , specializing in playground equipment, splash pads, and recreational amenities, which he and his wife Nicole acquired in 2004. The business, established in , emphasizes durable, American-made products and has grown to serve and school projects across the region, reflecting Crouch's commitment to local development. Crouch resides in Omaha, where he maintains deep ties to the community that nurtured his early athletic career. He is the father of Carsen Crouch, a senior on the football team as of 2025. Fully retired from playing football by 2011 following a brief stint with the , Crouch has since prioritized his family and entrepreneurial pursuits. As of 2025, his focus remains on these personal endeavors amid strong local involvement. In August 2025, Crouch attended a ceremony renaming a portion of 144th Street near Millard North High School—his —as "Eric Crouch Street," honoring his contributions to sports and community.

References

  1. https://www.heisman.com/heisman-winners/eric-crouch/
  2. https://www.cfbhall.com/inductees/eric-crouch-2020/
  3. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14333980/where-now-nebraska-cornhuskers-heisman-trophy-winner-eric-crouch
  4. https://nebhalloffame.org/eric-crouch-millard-north/
  5. https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/eric-crouch/2450
  6. https://huskers.com/sports/football/roster/player/eric-crouch
  7. https://okwnews.com/news/sports/football/eric-crouch-nebraska-2020-college-football-hall-of-fame-spotlight/
  8. https://www.nfl.com/players/eric-crouch/stats/career
  9. http://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1430682.html
  10. https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/c/crou00230.html
  11. https://www.footballdb.com/players/eric-crouch-croucer01
  12. https://cornhuskerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/cornhuskers/football/2025/11/07/nebraska-football-heisman-winner-eric-crouch-quarterback-tj-lateef/87137252007/
  13. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/28/sports/football-crouch-has-matured-beyond-his-23-years.html
  14. http://www.espn.com/magazine/vol4no17crouch.html
  15. http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/coll_sc_crouch_eric.html
  16. https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2002/12/17/a-full-time-job/31622301007/
  17. https://www.fiestasportsfoundation.org/news/2019/4/3/24585_24585.aspx
  18. https://www.ketv.com/article/millard-north-renaming-street-eric-crouch/65830263
  19. https://www.3newsnow.com/sports/nebraska-football-hall-of-famer-eric-crouch-honored-with-street-naming-at-millard-north
  20. https://huskers.com/news/2001/12/7/crouch-captures-heisman-trophy
  21. https://journalstar.com/article_406c51cf-5747-541a-863f-4f7d950c82fa.html
  22. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2824508/2021/09/14/the-day-no-2-nebraska-surprised-no-1-oklahoma-with-black-41-flash-reverse/
  23. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/top-quarterbacks-nebraska-football-history
  24. https://huskers.com/guy-chamberlin-trophy
  25. https://huskers.com/news/2020/04/15/crouch-named-to-nebraska-athletic-hall-of-fame
  26. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nebraska/2001.html
  27. https://cornhuskerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/cornhuskers/football/2022/05/22/husker-heisman-eric-crouch-quarterback-2001/78393289007/
  28. https://sharkfeet.tripod.com/2001stats.htm
  29. https://www.huskermax.com/game/2001-oklahoma-football/
  30. https://www.huskermax.com/games/2001/stats/2001/colorado.html
  31. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-2001.html
  32. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/220032390/nebraska-miami
  33. https://www.nypost.com/2002/01/04/crouch-has-nightmare-end-to-dream-year/
  34. https://www.espn.com/ncf/news/2001/1208/1292293.html
  35. https://www.espn.com/ncf/news/2001/1206/1291315.html
  36. https://www.daveyobrienaward.com/national-quarterback-award
  37. https://huskers.com/news/2001/12/16/crouch-snags-obrien-award
  38. https://huskers.com/husker-finalists-for-major-football-awards
  39. https://huskers.com/news/2020/3/11/crouch-selected-for-college-football-hall-of-fame
  40. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/eric-crouch-1.html
  41. https://www.[espn.com](/page/ESPN.com)/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1430682.html
  42. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/2002_draft.htm
  43. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/05/06/crouch-elects-not-to-receive/dcf0ffe1-2d4a-439a-8f15-42e1a4d05c0b/
  44. https://www.dailynebraskan.com/sports/catching-up-with-former-heisman-trophy-winner-eric-crouch/article_5a35d859-1cc9-5102-9939-a4eaa6e21f0d.html
  45. http://a.espncdn.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1407866.html
  46. https://www.packers.com/news/packers-claim-qb-eric-crouch-former-heisman-winner-on-waivers-2476538
  47. http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/2003/0722/1584118.html
  48. https://sportsforecaster.com/nfl/p/35027/Eric_Crouch
  49. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/ufl-team-gives-heisman-winner-crouch-a-tryout/article4260940/
  50. https://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/crouch-aafl/
  51. https://www.profootballarchives.com/2005nfleham.html
  52. https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story/_/id/2332065
  53. https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/t-CFLTOR/y-2006
  54. https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-jim-weber/finding-eric-crouch-heisman-hero-pro-washout-businessman.html
  55. https://africa.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=williamson_bill&id=3406329
  56. https://www.nfl.com/news/ufl-s-omaha-nighthawks-looking-at-ex-rams-draft-pick-crouch-09000d5d8203c264
  57. https://www.statscrew.com/football/leaders/l-UFL/y-2011
  58. https://profootballarchives.com/2011ufloma.html
  59. https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-crouceri001
  60. https://www.nfl.com/players/eric-crouch/stats/
  61. https://alumni.midlandu.edu/heisman-trophy-winner-eric-crouch-join-midland-university-football-staff
  62. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/22594655/2001-heisman-winner-eric-crouch-coach-small-nebraska-school
  63. https://www.ketv.com/article/couch-crouch-heisman-winner-molding-minds-at-midland-university/22709960
  64. https://huskers.com/news/2003/10/22/crouch-to-work-as-tv-analyst-for-nebraska-isu-game
  65. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/crouch-gives-his-take-on-upcoming-season
  66. https://awfulannouncing.com/2013/eric-crouch-puts-a-new-spin-on-the-sideline-report.html
  67. https://www.crouchrec.com/our-story
  68. https://www.crouchrec.com/team
  69. https://www.mapquest.com/us/crouch-recreational-design-8408705
  70. https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-crouch-6a56b13
  71. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/eric-crouch-heisman-trophy-college-football-transfer-portal-nil-conference-realignment
  72. https://midlandathletics.com/sports/fball/2025-26/bios/crouch_carsen_ihmv
  73. https://www.wowt.com/video/2025/08/29/omaha-street-renamed-honor-legendary-nebraska-quarterback/
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