Cody Swanson 2023

Cody Swanson

Cody Swanson proved to be one of two huge additions to the Gannon defensive staff last year. While the other addition, defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo, has moved on to Oklahoma State, Swanson was rewarded for his performance as he was named the Co-Defensive Coordinator. He will share the duties with Thomas Pearson.

Swanson joined the Gannon University football staff as the defensive line coach in late February 2022 after serving as a graduate assistant at Emporia State the previous two years.

With Swanson assisting Nardo last year, the new-look defensive staff revitalized the Gannon defense. The end result was an improvement from 5-6 in 2021 to 8-3 last fall as Gannon finished in a three-way tie with Indiana (Pa.) and Slippery Rock for first place in the PSAC West.

After allowing 29 points and 396 total yards per game in 2021 those figures dropped to 21.9 points and 287.4 yards per game, a huge improvement. Gannon ranked sixth in the PSAC in scoring defense and fourth in total defense along with seventh in rushing defense (103.5 ypg.) and sixth in passing defense (183.9 ypg.). The Golden Knights recorded 33 sacks, the second-highest total in the PSAC and 22nd in Division II.

Swanson guided a defensive line that saw all three players earn All-PSAC West recognition. Defensive end Nick White was a first-team selection for the second straight year while Malachi Woody also earned first-team honors and MaLik Bridgeman landed on the second team. 

Swanson served as a graduate assistant coach at Emporia State in 2020 and 2021, serving as the defensive line coach. His duties also included assisting in strength and conditioning and assisting with special teams, focusing on kickoff return and punt return. On the academic side, he was the Assistant Football Academic Coordinator.  
 
The Hornets finished with a 6-6 record this past season and made their sixth postseason appearance in nine seasons, facing Southeastern Oklahoma in the Farmers Bank & Trust United Bowl in Texarkana, Ark. The 2020 season was suspended due to COVID. This past season Emporia State finished in the MIAA in sacks and led the conference in third down conversion defense. 
 
Playing a three-man front, all three of his defensive linemen were All-MIAA performers in 2021. Defensive linemen Marek Thompson and Jordan Williams each earned second team All-MIAA honors, while Rafe Goucher was an honorable mention selection.
 
From Americus, Kansas, Swanson played on the defensive line at Emporia State in 2018 and 2019. He appeared in three games in 2018, then played in all 11 contests as a senior in 2019, totaling 17 tackles, 3 TFL and a sack. He played at Highland Community College for a season prior to that. A former standout at Emporia High School, he served on the coaching staff of his alma mater in 2016-17 coaching the defensive line.
 
Swanson graduated from Emporia State in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education -- Physical Education. He is currently working on his Master of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at Emporia State. He resides in Erie with his wife Jordyn Swanson and sons Maddox Swanson (19 months) and Rona (born Sept. 27). 

updated September 2023






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