Bethel competes at the NCAA Division III level as members of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).
Bethel plays its home games at Royal Stadium, located on the campus in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
Bethel has had 15 head coaches since organized football started in 1947 adopting the nickname "Royals".
McElroy served as the Royals’ defensive coordinator for the previous seven years after joining the program in 2017.
The Royals have made thirteen appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs, with a combined record of 16–13.