Swarers named linebacker coach/special teams coordinator

Fort Payne, Ala. native Dylan Swarers has been named the new linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Holmes Community College.

Swarers comes to Holmes from Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Okla., where he served as recruiting coordinator/special teams coordinator and linebackers coach. At OPSU, he handled the overall vision for the recruitment of student athletes; handled all aspects of special teams; handled travel; and coached the linebackers.

Prior to OPSU, he was a graduate assistant coach and was in charge of defensive quality control at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, from July 2018-January 2019. From July 2017-July 2018, he served as defensive backs, recruiting coordinator and co-special teams coordinator at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. From June 2016-July 2017, he taught social studies and coached football and track at West Brook High School in Beaumont, Texas.

From 2014-January 2015, he served as a defensive graduate assistant at Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota. His first coaching job was at Webber International University in Babson Park, Fla. serving as a defensive student assistant coach.

"I want to thank Holmes Community College, Coach Andy Wood, and Coach Raymond Gross for providing me with the opportunity to join the football staff here," Swarers said. "I'm incredibly excited to get to Goodman. I'm looking forward to meeting our players and getting to work on our preparations for the upcoming season.

"From the very beginning of this process I was attracted to Holmes because of its proximity to mine and my wife's families," he said. "Family is a big deal to us so getting the opportunity to work at a place that is closer to home is a huge blessing for us. From the first time I spoke with Coach Raymond Gross and Coach Le'Marcus Gibson, I knew that these were the type of men I wanted to work for and learn from. They both have tremendous knowledge of the game and have been successful in their careers, so I'm excited to join this program and help them build a successful culture here at Holmes."

Coach Gross said Swarers' skillset and recommendations from mutual friends made him an easy choice. "His attention to detail is phenomenal," Gross said. "He brings that knowledge of the linebacker position and also is a special teams coordinator. He can totally coordinate the special teams and coach the linebackers. He's been around some good coaches over the years."

Gross said Swarers is highly skilled in graphic design which will help the program as well. "His ability to create graphics will help us in promoting the program" he said. "It'll bring us current in what everybody else is doing or not doing."

Swarers said his strengths are his work ethic, attention to detail and his ability to build lasting relationships.

"I believe that I bring experience from several different levels of football, now with this experience, I bring lessons learned as well," Swarers said. "Having a strong defensive background helps me with the special teams' aspect of the game. And my experience at previous college coaching stops, will allow me to have a smooth transition into recruiting successful student-athletes to Holmes Community College.

"My philosophy with my linebackers is all about being G.R.E.A.T. in everything we do, on and off the field," he said. "Being GREAT is having Grit, being Respectful, having unmatched Effort, the right Attitude, and Tenaciously pursuing our goals. As far as our defense, I know that Coach Gibson is going to create aggressive defensive culture built on discipline and playing fast!

"I'm excited to coach in a conference of this caliber, being in the heart of SEC Country, it would only make sense that this is the SEC of the NJCAA," he added. "I'm a competitor and I want to go against the best there is and this conference gives me that ability week in and week out."

Swarers holds an associate's degree in general education from the State College of Florida and a bachelor's degree in sport business management from Webber International University. He has a master's degree in elementary education from Stephen F. Austin State University.

He and his wife, Ashley, have two children, Dawson and Addylan.

The football coaching staff is still looking to hire an offensive assistant coach with the primary responsibility of working with the running backs. The position should be opening soon.

"I'm taking my time on that position simply because it's a very important position on the offensive side of the ball," Gross said. "I want to find someone with experience, but if I can't I want to make sure it's the right fit.

"I think we've put together a pretty good staff," he said. "We are diversified in its makeup and experience level and age. That's a good thing. We have some young guys who want to get out there and work and get better as a coach. We have some older guys including myself that have been around for a little bit. We have guys from different backgrounds, and that'll make us a better coaching staff."