Swanson Named Defensive Coordinator

From Asst. AD/Athletics Communications, June 16, 2020 | Football
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

DE PERE - St. Norbert College has named Riley Swanson as its new football defensive coordinator, head coach Dan McCarty announced today.

"We are excited to announce the addition of Riley Swanson as our new defensive coordinator," McCarty said. "Riley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from various backgrounds to our program. His energy, enthusiasm, personality are contagious. Most importantly, he's a players' coach and believes in the most fundamental aspect of our program - building long-lasting relationships with our players and treating them like our own sons."

Swanson arrives at St. Norbert after spending the 2019 season on the coaching staff at Finlandia University, where he was the defensive coordinator and also coached defensive backs. The Lions led the NCAA Division III in fewest passing yards allowed per game at 99.3.

Swanson spent the 2017-18 at NCAA Division II University of West Florida. He was the Argonauts' video coordinator and running backs coach in 2017. A year later, Swanson coached the cornerbacks and was the assistant special teams coordinator. Swanson was West Florida's communications coordinator those two seasons.

Swanson was a four-year letterwinner at Wake Forest as a defensive back. He played in 47 games for the Demon Deacons and finished his career with 179 tackles, seven interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Wake Forest won the Atlantic Coast Conference championship his senior year and played in the Orange Bowl.

Following his collegiate career, Swanson signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2007 as an undrafted free agent. His football career continued in the Arena Football League, spending the 2010, 2011 and 2013 seasons with the Arizona Rattlers and the 2012 season with the Tampa Bay Storm. Arizona won Arena Bowl XXVI in 2013.

Swanson graduated in 2006 from Wake Forest with a degree in religion.