Aaron Schwanz - Inside Linebacker - Staff Directory - Florida Atlantic University Athletics

Staff Directory

Aaron Schwanz

Title:
Inside Linebacker

At Florida Atlantic

Joined the Owls in December 2024 as a member of Zach Kittley’s inaugural staff as the team's inside linebacker coach

At Louisiana

Special teams assistant for the 2024 season
Coached Kenneth Almendares in his All-American season, winning the Lou Groza Award as the nation's best kicker
Member of coaching staff for Ragin' Cajuns team that had 10 victories and were the winners of the Sun Belt West Division, qualifying for the conference championship

At Auburn

Worked as analyst for Tigers in 2023, specializing with linebackers
Qualified for Music City Bowl

At Georgia Southern

Served as the Eagles linebacker coach for the 2022 season
Helped turn linebackers Marques Watson-Trent and Khadry Jackson into tackling machines as both finished nationally ranked in tackles per game
Watson-Trent earned all-conference honors after leading the team with 114 tackles, including 5.5 for loss

At Washington

Was a defensive analyst for the Huskies for a stingy defense, one that ranked nationally in numerous categories
While working with the outside linebackers, helped Washington rank first nationally for the fewest passing yards allowed (1,720), gave up a nation-low six touchdown passes, and posted the third-best pass efficiency defense in the country

At LSU

Spent the previous three seasons a defensive analyst, from 2018-2020 under now Baylor head coach Dave Aranda
The impressive three-year stretch included the national championship in 2019

At Southeastern Louisiana

Spent four seasons as the linebackers and special teams coordinator
Guided many talented players for the Lions, including Herbert Harris, who earned Second-Team All-Southland Conference honors in 2015
Also helped guide a conference championship defense in his first year in 2014
Prior to the 2016 season, added the title of special teams coordinator. That season, 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 the first year, the Southeastern special teams units were significantly 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 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, the linebackers were key to the Southland Conference champion Lion defense leading the league in scoring and total defense
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

At Wisconsin

Spent the 2013 season at Wisconsin, where he was a graduate assistant working with the Badgers’ outside linebackers
Contributed to a defense that ranked top 10 nationally in total defense (7th), scoring defense (6th), and rushing defense (5th)

At Texas El Paso

Served as a graduate assistant, where he oversaw the wide receivers
Coached a pair of All-Conference USA receivers in Jordan Leslie and Mike Edwards

At Midwestern State

Coached linebackers as a graduate assistant at Midwestern State for multiple seasons
Worded with 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 record and the Lone Star Conference championship

At Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Started his coaching career at his alma mater Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Coached the secondary

Playing Career

Four-year letter winner and played in 21 games as a safety (2004-07)

THE SCHWANZ FILE
Hometown: Port Washington, Wisc.
Born: 1/20/85 in Port Washington, Wisc.
College: Wisconsin-Oshkosh (2009); Midwestern State (2016)
Family: wife, Morgan; son, Ace; daughters, Rosalee, Daisy

COACHING HISTORY

Year	School	Position	Bowl	Result
2025	Florida Atlantic
2024	Louisiana	Special Teams Assistant	New Mexico Bowl (TCU)	L, 34-3
2023	Auburn	Analyst - Linebackers	Music City Bowl (Maryland)	L, 31-13
2022	Georgia Southern	Linebackers	Camellia (Buffalo)	L, 23-21
2021	Washington	Defensive Analyst
2020	LSU	Defensive Analyst
2019	LSU	Defensive Analyst	CFP Semifinals/Peach (Oklahoma) *CFP National Championship* (Clemson) - Champions	W, 63-28 (OU) W, 42-25 (CLEM)
2018	LSU	Defensive Analyst	Fiesta Bowl (UCF)	W, 40-32
2017	Southeast Louisiana	Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator
2016	Southeast Louisiana	Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator
2015	Southeast Louisiana	Linebackers
2014	Southeast Louisiana	Linebackers	FCS First Round (Sam Houston)	L, 21-17
2013	Wisconsin	Graduate Assistant	Capital One (South Carolina)	L, 34-14
2012	UTEP	Wide Receivers
2011	Midwestern State	Graduate Assistant
2010	Midwestern State	Graduate Assistant	Kanza Bowl Washburn	L, 45-14
2009	Wisconsin-Oshkosh	Secondary

PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED

Vince Biegel (LB): Miami Dolphins
K’Lavon Chaisson (LB): Las Vegas Raiders
Isiah Corbett (LB): Washington Redskins
Michael Divinity (LB): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jordan Leslie (WR): Cleveland Browns
Drew Misita (LB): Pittsburgh Steelers
Joe Schobert (LB): Pittsburgh Steelers
Sione Teuhema (LB): Carolina Panthers