Football 1/25/2024 2:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

Cody Swanson Added To Football Staff

Central Oklahoma Head Coach Adam Dorrel Announced New Defensive Addition

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma head football coach Adam Dorrel announced the addition of Cody Swanson to his coaching staff in what is the first of a few new hires on the defensive side of the football this winter.

"Cody is a young up-and-comer that will be a great addition to our staff," Dorrel said. "He played in the MIAA, coached in the MIAA, and he's recruited the state of Oklahoma. He is a hard-working coach and is a good relationship guy. We're excited about what he brings to the program and we're really excited about the direction of our defense with the addition of Cody to the team."

Dorrel tabbed Swanson to take over the defensive line position keying on his experience with the 3-3-5 scheme. Swanson comes to Central Oklahoma from Gannon (Pa.), where he spent the last two seasons. He was the defensive line coach there and spent last season as co-defensive coordinator.

Swanson makes his return to the MIAA. The Emporia, Kansas native played two seasons at Emporia State (2018-19) and received his bachelor's degree from there. He also spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at ESU in 2020 and 2021.

Swanson was hired at Gannon in February 2022 and spent his first season there under the guidance of Bryan Nardo, another former Emporia coach that moved on from Gannon to lead the Oklahoma State Cowboys as defensive coordinator in 2023. Swanson was promoted to co-DC following Nardo's departure from Gannon.

Gannon in 2023 had the third-best overall defense in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), allowing 301.9 yards per game. Three PSAC teams made the NCAA Division II playoffs last season in the seven-team Super Region I bracket.

Brandon Lechtenberg, Rashad Sanders, and Adam McGuire all moved on from the UCO coaching staff this offseason. Lechtenberg was named head coach at Millsaps College (Miss.) this week. McGuire took a Division I job coaching defensive backs at Marist (N.Y.), and Sanders entered the high school ranks in Texas.

Dorrel is hiring a new linebackers coach and a new defensive backs coach that will align with his plans for the program. Those additional hires will be announced once the hiring process is complete.

Central Oklahoma returned to campus last week and football's offseason strength and conditioning is underway before Spring ball begins later this semester.

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