PICTURED ABOVE (In Order): J.J. Clark, Andy Studebaker, Taylor Graham and Matt Snebold.

Wheaton, Ill. – Wheaton College (Ill.) football coach Mike Swider has announced the appointment of J.J. Clark as the defensive coordinator for the Thunder football team. Clark replaces Jordan Langs, who departed in December to become the head football coach at Indiana Wesleyan University. In addition to Clark's new position as defensive coordinator, current assistant coach Taylor Graham will take on a new role in 2017. A pair of former Wheaton All-Americans will return to the program as well, with Andy Studebaker and Matt Snebold serving as new assistant coaches for the upcoming season.

A former standout on the offensive side of the ball for the Thunder football program, Clark returned to Wheaton as an assistant coach in 2015. He served as cornerbacks coach and defensive passing game coordinator in 2015. In 2016, Clark was Wheaton's associate defensive coordinator and directed the defensive running game. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Clark was on the coaching staff at University of Akron in 2013 and 2014. In his time at Akron, he worked with the linebackers and defensive backs. In 2012, he served as the running backs coach at Humboldt State University.

A 2012 graduate of Wheaton, Clark played four seasons of football for the Thunder from 2008-11, earning Capital One Academic All-America Second Team recognition at tight end in 2011. Head Coach Mike Swider says of him, "J.J. has done a phenomenal job coaching defense for us; he is really a smart guy. He is also heavily involved in our strength and conditioning program and he brings a lot of energy and knowledge to that area." Swider concludes, "He is a real detailed coach who prides himself in being well prepared; and I have a tremendous amount of confidence in J.J. He loves football and loves Wheaton."

Taylor Graham will serve as Wheaton's quarterbacks and passing game coordinator in 2017. Graham served as Wheaton's wide receivers coach in 2016. He is a 2015 graduate of University of Hawai'i Manoa, playing at quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors after transferring from Ohio State University. He appeared in eight games for Hawai'i, including four as the starting quarterback. As a junior, Graham was named to the Academic All-Mountain West Team. Swider mentions, "He has done a great job for us so far. He is a real student of the game. He has a great understanding of the passing game and what it takes to play the quarterback position. He is mature beyond his years and brings great creativity to our offense. Our quarterbacks are going to love playing for him."

Andy Studebaker returns to the Thunder program for 2017 to serve as a full-time defensive assistant coach, working specifically with the defensive front. A 2008 graduate of Wheaton, Studebaker was named an All-American at defensive end in 2006 as he led all of NCAA football with a school-record 17-1/2 quarterback sacks. He earned the CCIW's Defensive Player of the Year award and D3football.com North Region Defensive Player of the Year recognition in 2006. He was a sixth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2008 NFL Draft; going on to play in 97 games over eight seasons (2008-15) in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Indianapolis Colts.

Mike Swider comments, "We are excited to add Andy to the staff. He reached out to me this past year and mentioned that he might want to get into coaching. His ability as a player is well known; you don't spend eight years in the NFL and not be special." Swider continues, "He will work with our defensive front and will do a great job there. Andy was a defensive lineman for us. He went on to play linebacker and some rush end in the NFL so he is familiar with what we are doing with the defensive line and linebackers." The head coach concludes, "Andy also made a name for himself on special teams in the league, playing on all those units. I expect that he will bring a wealth of knowledge as we coach and develop our special team units."

Matt Snebold, an All-American offensive lineman for the Thunder, returns to serve as the offensive graduate assistant coach for the 2017 season. A 2016 Wheaton graduate, he earned Second Team All-America recognition in 2015 from D3football.com at offensive tackle. Wheaton's only finalist for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy, Snebold twice earned All-CCIW honors and D3football.com All-North Region recognition. A three-year starter, Snebold did not allow a sack in his junior or senior seasons with the Thunder, helping guide the program to its first-ever back-to-back 10-0 regular season campaigns in 2014 and 2015. In the spring of 2016, Snebold participated in rookie minicamps of the Atlanta Falcons' and the Chicago Bears. "Matt came to us this fall and mentioned that he might have an interest in coaching," notes Swider. "He is a Wheaton guy who understands offensive line play. Matt loves the game and excelled at it as a player."