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| Wheaton athletics photo |
Wheaton has named Jesse Scott, a 2009 Wheaton graduate, as the head coach of the football team. Scott has served as Wheaton’s offensive coordinator since 2016 and been a member of the Thunder coaching staff since 2010.
Scott replaces Mike Swider, who announced his retirement on Dec. 10, 2019. Swider posted a 209-52 record in 24 seasons as Wheaton’s head coach.
The Thunder advanced to the national quarterfinals this past season, losing in heartbreaking fashion to St. John's by a 34-33 score. Wheaton finished 12-1.
“Jesse brings a passion for Wheaton football, a deep knowledge of what it takes to compete at this level, and a commitment to maintaining the distinctives that make this program thrive on the field and in the lives of our players,” said athletic director Julie Davis. “He is a talented coach, and I believe he has all the tools to continue the great tradition of Wheaton football, which is to develop young men in their faith and character through excellence in football.”
Scott served as Wheaton’s offensive coordinator for the past four seasons, and the program’s offensive line coach since 2012. He has served as the recruiting coordinator for Thunder football since 2013, and spent one season as a defensive line coach. The Wheaton offense has been ranked in the top 10 in Division III in scoring offense each of the past three seasons. In 2019, Wheaton set a school record for points in a season (611), shattering the previous best of 505 points in 2008. Wheaton advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs twice (2016 and 2019) in Scott’s tenure as offensive coordinator.
In his tenure on the coaching staff, Scott has coached six players that earned nine All-America recognitions. Among those honorees was Spencer Clark the 2014 recipient of the Rimington Award as the top center in Division III. In Scott’s four seasons as offensive coordinator, the Thunder offense achieved top-20 placement in Division III in 14 statistical categories.
Scott says of his appointment, “I am thrilled and humbled by the opportunity to lead the Wheaton football program. Wheaton football will continue to change lives. Our program will shape young men for the glory of God through our pursuit of excellence on the field and off of it. I want to thank Julie Davis for entrusting me with this opportunity and Coach Swider for his affirmation that I am the right man for the job.”
A 2009 Wheaton graduate, Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in business and economics. His four-year playing career (2005-08) for the Thunder featured All-CCIW selections in his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, Scott earned D3football.com All-North Region First Team honors and was named to the D3football.com All-America first team. As the starting right tackle, Scott was part of the record-breaking 2008 Thunder offense that broke 17 single-season and career records while advancing to the Division III national semifinals.
Wheaton’s 2020 season kicks off on Sept. 5 at Northwestern (Minn.) with Scott at the helm.