Mike Swider served as the head coach of the Wheaton College football team for 24 seasons and spent 35 seasons as a member of the Wheaton College football coaching staff. He took the helm of the Wheaton football program in 1996 and announced his retirement at the conclusion of Wheaton’s record setting 2019 season.
In his 24 seasons as head coach, Wheaton posted a 209-52 record with an 80.1% winning percentage, which ranks him first all-time in both categories among Wheaton's 22 head football coaches. Upon his retirement, he held the eighth-highest winning percentage of any active Division III coach and is among the top-15 highest winning percentages of any coach in Division III history with 10 or more years of experience. During Swider's tenure as head coach, the program has reached the NCAA playoffs 10 times, won nine CCIW titles, produced 43 All-Americans and 237 All-Conference players.
Swider’s final season as head coach, 2019, tied the most wins in a single season in program history with a 12-1 record in the campaign. Wheaton finished the season ranked fifth in the final D3football.com Top-25 poll as the Thunder advanced to the Quarterfinal Round of the 2019 NCAA Division III Football Playoffs. Wheaton posted a 10-0 record in the regular season and was a flawless 9-0 in CCIW play to win the conference championship for the ninth time in Swider’s tenure. He was honored as the CCIW Coach of the Year award for the seventh time, the second-highest total in conference history. Wheaton defeated Martin Luther College (51-7) in the playoffs' opening round and won a Second Round matchup against Central College (49-13). The resounding wins against Martin Luther and Central advanced Wheaton to the Quarterfinal round of the Division III Playoffs for the fourth time in program history.
In 2016, Wheaton secured an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Playoffs for the program's third-consecutive playoff appearance; a feat only accomplished one other time in program history (2002-004). Wheaton defeated Huntingdon College (45-10) in the playoffs' opening round and won a Second Round matchup against conference rival North Central (31-14). Those two wins propelled Swider's program to the Quarterfinal round of the Division III Playoffs.
Swider's 2015 squad became the first in Wheaton history to amass consecutive unbeaten regular seasons. Wheaton won its First Round NCAA Tournament game before falling in the Second Round to UW-Whitewater. Swider's squad had three All-Americans and 14 All-CCIW honorees for the team that finished the season ranked ninth in Division III.
In 2014, Swider's team compiled the fourth unbeaten regular season in program history, running the tables and earning the team's first playoff appearance since 2010 while winning the CCIW title. Wheaton remained undefeated in First Round NCAA Tournament games and advanced to the Second Round. Swider's team had five All-Americans and eight All-CCIW athletes. His team ended the season ranked eighth in the nation.
Swider's 2012 squad finished with a record of 8-2 and won their first CCIW title since 2006.
In 2010, the Thunder football team went 10-2 and reached the Second Round of the NCAA Playoffs.
In 2008, Swider picked up his 105th career victory to pass Harve Chrouser's school record in a 14-0 win over Trine University on Nov. 22. The Thunder posted an 11-3 record that year as they qualified for the NCAA Division III Playoffs and reached the national semifinals for the first time in team history. Wheaton finished the year ranked No. 4 nationally and the team broke 17 single-season and career records on the season.
In 2007, Swider was a finalist for the Division III for the Liberty Mutual "Coach of the Year" award.
In 2006, Swider was the recipient of the CCIW Coach of the Year Award for the fourth time in his career, leading the Thunder to the program's fourth conference title in five seasons and a return to the NCAA Division III Playoffs.
In 2004, Swider guided Wheaton to its third consecutive CCIW Championship and NCAA Division III playoffs. The 2004 season also marked the third consecutive year with 10 or more wins as the Thunder finished with a 10-2 record.
In 2003, Swider guided Wheaton to a school-record 12 wins and the program’s first-ever appearance in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. Swider was selected as the CCIW Coach of the Year for the second straight year. He also was chosen as the Division III North Region “Coach of the Year” by the American Football Coaches Association and Football Gazette.
In 2002, Swider lead Wheaton to its first playoff appearance and undefeated conference season since 1995, finishing with a 10-2 overall record. Swider was named CCIW “Coach of the Year,” and Wheaton placed eight on the All-CCIW First Team.
He took over the head coaching reins from J.R. Bishop who coached from 1982-95. For Swider’s first seven seasons as head coach, he also served as the defensive coordinator. Swider also serves as a motivational speaker to a variety of groups.
In 1978, he earned a Master's degree at Indiana University. From 1978-85, he coached at Westminster Schools of Atlanta, a highly-respected college preparatory school. Westminster won the Class AAA State title in 1978 and made the state playoffs in three other seasons, while hewas there.?
Swider and his wife Nancy reside in Wheaton. The couple has three children; sons, Justin and Michael along with daughter, Hannah.
