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| West Chester athletics photo |
Delaware Valley has announced the hiring of Bill Zwaan Jr. as the 33rd head football coach of the Aggies.
Zwaan, an assistant coach at Division II West Chester, replaces Mike Isgro, who took an assistant coaching at West Chester last week.
Zwaan's dad, Bill Zwaan, was head coach at Division III Widener for six seasons, from 1997-2002, and was head coach at West Chester from 2003 until he retired in 2023. Former Delaware Valley coach Duke Greco was hired to replace him two years ago.
"I am delighted to announce the hiring of Bill Zwaan," said athletic director David Duda. "This is an important hire at such a crucial time for football recruiting and retention, and Billy has an organized plan for this mid-academic-year transition. Billy comes from great stock, being part of a successful, well-respected football family. He is a brilliant football mind, and we look forward to supporting Billy and his staff in the pursuit of his lofty goals for our football program. He will be a great leader of young men, both on and off the field of play, and will be an asset to our entire campus community."
"I want to thank Delaware Valley University president (Benjamin) Rusiloski, Dave Duda, and (provost) Gloria Oikelome for giving me this opportunity," said Zwaan. "DelVal is an excellent school with a tradition of great athletic programs, especially football. I come from a program, both as a player and a coach, that has an outstanding athletic and football tradition, and that experience will help me develop a program that continues DelVal's football success and one that people will be proud to be a part of."
Zwaan arrives at DelVal after spending the last 13 seasons at NCAA Division II West Chester, where he served as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. During his tenure, he was responsible for all aspects of the Golden Rams' offense, including staff assignments, practice and game planning, playbook development, recruiting, academics, and personnel management.
At West Chester, Zwaan helped guide the program to five NCAA playoff appearances (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019), including an NCAA semifinal appearance in 2013 when the Golden Rams finished ranked fourth nationally. He was instrumental in West Chester's 2018 PSAC championship, the program's first outright conference title since 1971, while also contributing to four PSAC East Division championships.
Zwaan's offenses consistently ranked among the best in Division II, averaging more than 420 yards and 35 points per game during his time as coordinator. His units set multiple school records, including touchdown passes, average yards per game, passing yards, rushing yards, total yards, and points scored.
Throughout his coaching career, Zwaan has coached 38 all-conference selections, two first team All-Americans, six honorable mention All-Americans, three conference players of the year, three Academic All-Americans, and a Maxwell Award Player of the Year.
Prior to West Chester, Zwaan coached at Widener from 2009–11 as quarterbacks coach, recruiting coordinator, and academic coordinator, overseeing all aspects of recruiting and player academic support. He also spent the 2008 season at Lycoming, helping lead the Warriors to a MAC championship and NCAA Playoff appearance while coaching a First Team All-MAC quarterback.
A former standout quarterback at West Chester, Zwaan was a three-year starter and team captain. He led the Golden Rams to three straight playoff appearances and finished his career ranked fifth all-time in program history in passing yards (6,825) and touchdown passes (65). Zwaan earned first team All-PSAC honors in 2007 and was named the Maxwell Football Club Tri-State College Player of the Year and Bert Bell Local College MVP that same season.
Zwaan earned his bachelor's degree in professional studies from West Chester in 2009, with minors in secondary education and history.