Wheaton, Ill. – Wheaton head football coach Jesse Scott has announced the appointment of Mikey Swider as defensive coordinator for the Thunder. Swider has served as a Wheaton assistant coach since August of 2020, most recently serving as linebacker coach and special teams coordinator.

Swider replaces CJ Nightingale who had served as Wheaton's defensive coordinator since 2019. Nightingale was named head coach at Belhaven University recently.

Scott states, "I'm excited to announce Coach Swider as our new defensive coordinator and looking forward to the edge he will bring on that side of the ball.  He is a gifted coach who is committed to helping our players maximize their development on the field.  Even more important for a Wheaton coach is that they are invested in our whole mission.  Coach Swider is - he's ready to inspire men on the field, yes, but also committed to helping our players grow in their faith in Jesus.

A graduate of Wheaton, Swider earned his Bachelor's Degree in Communication in May of 2017. He played four seasons at linebacker for the Thunder football team, serving as a starter in his junior and senior seasons. He earned First Team All-CCIW recognition in both 2014 and 2015. As a junior in 2014 he was named to the D3football.com All-North Region Team and the following year he was a First Team All-Region selection by D3football.com. A two-sport standout at Wheaton, Swider was a three-year letterwinner for the Thunder wrestling team. He was a NCAA Division III All-American at the 197-pound weight class in 2016 and twice competed at the Division III Championships on the mat. Swider won CCIW Titles at 197-pounds in 2015 and 2016.