Coaching Experience
• The Roger J. Weiss '61 Head Coach of Cornell Football, Cornell University (2023-present)
• Offensive Coordinator/Clarence S. Rockwell, VMD Quarterbacks Coach, University of Pennsylvania (2022-2023)
• Head Football Coach, Ithaca College (2017-2021)
• Quarterbacks Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, University of Pennsylvania (2014-16)
• Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, Johns Hopkins University (2008-13)
• Graduate Assistant Coach, University of Redlands (2006-07)
• Assistant Coach, Stratford HS (2005)
Playing Experience
• Darmstadt Diamonds, German Football League (2005)
• Rhodes College (2001-05)
Education
• M.A., University of Redlands (2008)
• B.A., Rhodes College (2005)
At Cornell
Under Swanstrom's leadership, Cornell posted a 4-6 overall record and 3-4 Ivy League mark in 2024, but the numbers that truly tell the story lie in the team's offensive transformation. The offensive-minded coach orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, elevating the Big Red from averaging just over 18 points per game in 2023 to more than 30 points per game in 2024. This explosive improvement propelled Cornell to third place in the Ivy League in total yards per game, passing yards per game, and scoring, while the rushing attack also cracked the conference's top five. Swanstrom saw seven players recieve All-Ivy honors in year one, including Seniors Luke Banbury '25 and Jameson Wang '25 who were chosen to the All-Ivy League first team. Samuel Musungu and Jack Powers '25 were selected to the second team, while Damon Barnes, Ryder Kurtz, and Alan Zhao were honorable mentions. Wang was also a finalist for Asa S. Bushnell Cup Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Peyton Awards and Kurtz was an Ap All-American honorable mention.
Prior to Cornell
Swanstrom spent five seasons as head coach at crosstown Ithaca College, compiling a 32-11 record and winning at least eight games in all four seasons. The Bombers won three Liberty League titles (2017, 2018 and 2021), claimed the ECAC Scotty Whitelaw Bowl title in his first season, and won the Cortaca game three times in four seasons. He played a part in scheduling the 2021 Cortaca game at MetLife Stadium, resulting in breaking the Division III attendance record (45,161). He was also involved in planning efforts the following year to play the contest at Yankee Stadium, surpassing 40,000 fans. His players earned 43 Academic All-District honors and six were named All-Americans, succeeding in and out of the classroom.
Sandwiched around his head coaching stop with the Bombers were a pair of stints at the University of Pennsylvania, first as quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator (2014-16) and later as offensive coordinator (2022-23). Swanstrom was part of the 2015 and 2016 Ivy League championship teams at Penn as an assistant coach. He mentored Alek Torgersen to a pair of first-team All-Ivy nods as the quarterback became Penn's all-time leader in passing touchdowns (52) and total offense (7,937 yards). Torgersen spent time with four NFL teams following his career with the Quakers.
He returned to Philadelphia in 2022 as offensive coordinator, helping the Quakers jump from last to first in the Ancient Eight in total offense over two seasons. Penn set school records for most receptions and longest play from scrimmage in a game and had individuals ranked among the top five nationally in passing and receptions per contest. In his first season back, the Quakers improved by five wins (from 3-5 in 2021 to 8-2 in 2022) and finished second in the final Ivy League standings at 5-2, a year removed from a 1-6 season.
After moving from assistant coach to associate head coach for John Margraff's powerful Johns Hopkins teams from 2008-13, Swanstrom took over as offensive coordinator in just his second year on the sidelines. He helped the team to five conference titles, and he coached four Centennial Conference Offensive Players of the Year. His teams were ranked in the top 10 nationally in total offense three times and paced the conference four consecutive years, averaging better than 500 yards in three different seasons. Nearly every offensive team record in school history was broken during his tenure as the offensive coordinator and the total of individual records surpassed 75 during his tenure. The team also had great success, going 48-10.
Swanstrom began his coaching journey as an assistant coach at Stratford HS in Texas (2005) where he mentored former NFL No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Luck. He parlayed that success into serving two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Redlands (2006-07). As quarterbacks and wide receivers coach, Swanstrom helped Redlands to the 2007 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.
Playing Career
Swanstrom played his collegiate years at Rhodes College as the team's quarterback, being named a finalist for the Gagliardi Award as one of the 10 Division III football players for national player of the year as a senior. He finished his career as the Lynx's all-time leader on career total offense (8,347 yards) and third in passing touchdowns (55). His 2,634 passing yards as a junior when he was named conference co-Offensive Player of the Year was also a school single-season record. The two-time team captain and three-time all-league pick ranked in the top 10 in conference history in total offense, passing yardage, total offense per game and passing touchdowns. He was inducted into the college's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.
Following graduation, Swanstrom played in the German Football League with the Darmstadt Diamonds leading the team to the conference title.
Personal
Swanstrom and his wife Kristin have three children, a son, Harrison, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Josephine.
