In three seasons Sheldon Cross has played a vital role in the Idaho State Bengals record-breaking offense. Cross who served as the outside wide receivers coach his first two seasons just concluded his first year as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

In Cross' first year the receiver trio of Cameron Richmond, Chad Hansen and Broc Malcom combined to catch 152 passes for 1,670 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The 2014 season saw Madison Mangum earn first-team all-conference while catching 83 passes for 1,234 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 83 receptions and 1,234 receiving yards ranked third in the ISU all-time single-season record books and the 10 touchdowns was fourth. Mangum ended his senior season as one of the top receivers in Idaho State history as he finished his career with 160 receptions for 2,204 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Cross’ receiving core in 2014 caught passes from record-setting quarterback Justin Arias, who was a finalist for the Walter Payton Trophy.  That season Arias became only the ninth quarterback in Idaho State history to throw for over 4,000 yards (4,076).
He threw 38 touchdowns on 318 completions,

The 2014 offense scored a school record 64 touchdowns and broke the single-season rushing record with 2,567 yards.

Cross came to Idaho State after spending the 2012 season at Illinois State coaching the tight ends and H-Backs.

At Illinois State, Cross helped guide the Redbirds to the team’s first playoff appearance since 2006. The offensive unit led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in passing and total offense as the Redbirds averaged better than 30 points a game while compiling a 9-4 record, playing the final regular season game for a share of the conference title against North Dakota State and advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA FCS playoffs, with a second-round win over Appalachian State.

Sophomore tight end James O’Shaughnessy flourished under Cross’ guidance.  O’Shaughnessy averaged 21.2 yards per catch in 2012 and finished the season with 403 yards and three touchdowns, two of which came in the team’s playoff win at Appalachian State, the second was the game winning.

Cross also worked closely with junior Jordan Neukirch, who earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference First-Team honors at fullback after the season.  Neukirch was instrumental in serving as lead blocker for Darrelynn Dunn, who rushed for over 1,000 yards on the season. Neukirch also contributed in the passing game as well, with four catches for two touchdowns through the air. 

Prior to Illinois State, Cross served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at NCAA Division II New Mexico-Highlands in 2011. With Cross at the helm of the offense, the Cowboys started the 2011 season 4-0 for the first time since 1968. After inheriting an offense that averaged just 10 points per game the previous season, Cross' group was one of the top offenses in the country and averaged 46 points per game through the first four games of the season before injuries to the team's quarterbacks took a toll on the offense. The Cowboys also averaged 29 first downs per game during that stretch, which led the country in that category.

Prior to taking over the offense at New Mexico-Highlands, Cross spent the 2010 season as the offensive graduate assistant at Washington State. In that role, he worked with the tight ends and H-backs for the Cougars and assisted the offensive coordinator with all aspects of the passing game.

Originally from Tacoma, Wash., Cross had previously served as the head football coach at Interlake High School in Bellevue, Wash. As head coach at Interlake, Cross led his squad to back-to-back playoffs appearances in 2008 and 2009, the first two for the school in 22 seasons.

For his efforts, Cross garnered Bellevue Reporter Coach of the Year accolades following both seasons, and was also named Coach of the Year by the Kingco Conference and National Football Coaches Association in 2009. His teams also set school records for passing, receiving and rushing in his three seasons at the helm. His 2009 team was one of the state’s top scoring offenses, averaging nearly 50 points per game, (416) total on the season. 

Prior to taking over as head coach, Cross was the offensive coordinator and coached quarterbacks at Iowa Wesleyan in 2005.

Cross played quarterback at Iowa Wesleyan, starting for two seasons, and set Mid-State Conference records for most attempts and completions in a game. He later went on to play professionally for the Dresden Monarchs in Germany and for the Graz Giants in Austria, whom he led to the EFAF Cup European championship.

Cross attended Stadium High School in Tacoma. He later received his bachelor's in psychology from Peru State in 2004.

Cross and his wife, Catherine, have one son, Wyatt and a daughter, Stella.