Aaron Schwanz enters his fourth season on the Southeastern Louisiana football staff as an assistant coach working with the Lion linebackers. Prior to the 2016 season, Schwanz added the title of special teams coordinator.
In 2016, Schwanz led a talented linebacker group. Junior Sione Teuhema earned second team All-Southland Conference honors and was joined on the all-conference squad by senior Tre’ Bennett. Bennett was also a strong performer in the classroom, earning Southland All-Academic honors.
In their first year under Schwanz’s direction, the Southeastern special teams units were greatly improved. The Lions led the Southland Conference and ranked among the national leaders with five blocked kicks (7th in FCS) and 18.08 yards allowed per kickoff return (20th in FCS).
The 2015 linebacker corps was successful under Schwanz’s direction. Senior linebacker Herbert Harris was named second team All-Southland Conference after leading the team in tackles, while Bennett was named to the All-Southland Conference team as an honorable mention selection.
In 2014, Schwanz’s linebackers were key to the Southland Conference champion Lion defense leading the league in scoring and total defense. Schwanz coached Sports Network and Associated Press All-American Isiah Corbett, who led SLU with 12.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and four interceptions. Corbett also earned All-Louisiana and All-Southland Conference honors, as was fellow senior linebacker Drew Misita.
Schwanz spent the 2013 season at Wisconsin, where he was a graduate assistant working with the Badgers’ outside linebackers. Schwanz contributed to a defense that ranked top 10 nationally in total defense (7th), scoring defense (6th) and rushing defense (5th).
Prior to his time at Wisconsin, Schwanz was a graduate assistant at Texas-El Paso, where he oversaw the wide receivers and defensive line. During his time with the Miners, he coached a pair of All-Conference USA receivers in Jordan Leslie and Mike Edwards.
Schwanz also coached linebackers at Midwestern State for multiple seasons before moving on to UTEP. He coached several All-Lone Star Conference selections during his time in Wichita Falls. In 2011, he was part of a staff that led Midwestern State to a 10-0 regular season and the Lone Star Conference championship.
Schwanz started his coaching career at his alma mater Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he coached safeties. Schwanz earned his degree in special education from UW-Oshkosh, where he was a four-year letter winner at safety.
