Tiffin men’s basketball head coach Tom Church has announced Ben Swank as his top assistant coach heading into the 2020-21 season.
“I am ecstatic to be able to add Ben as my top assistant and I think he will fit seamlessly into our program,” said Church. “For the past seven years, he’s worked and learned under Coach Linc Darner, who I consider to be one of the best coaches in the game. Ben’s knowledge of the game, experience in recruiting, and ability to relate to our student-athletes will make him a perfect fit. I feel lucky to have him on my staff and I’m excited to work with him in helping me build a winning culture and program.”
Swank brings eight years of collegiate coaching experience to Tiffin, spending time as an assistant coach in all three NCAA divisions. For the last five seasons, he has been an assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, helping the Phoenix to postseason qualification in four of five years including a Horizon League Championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 2015-16, the school’s first in 20 years. Green Bay also reached the CBI in 2016-17 and the championship game of the CIT in 2018-19, and qualified for postseason contention again in 2019-20 before the season was cut short due to COVID-19. The Phoenix finished in the top four of the Horizon League in four of five years as the program compiled a 51-39 conference record during Swank’s tenure.
The Phoenix were an offensive juggernaut during Swank’s five seasons, ranking in the top 35 of all of Division I in points per game four out of five years, including fourth in the nation in 2019-20 with 81.6 points per game. Last year, Green Bay also led the Horizon League in FG%, 3pt%, turnover margin, assist-to-turnover ratio, and blocks. Across Swank’s five seasons, he helped coach 10 All-Horizon League athletes and six individuals that went on to play at a professional level. During his time at Green Bay, Swank was also named an NABC/Under Armour 30-Under-30 Award Winner in 2016.
“I am extremely excited to accept the position of Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Tiffin University,” said Swank. “I would like to thank Coach Church and Vice President for Athletics Lonny Allen for the opportunity. The style of play that Coach Church teaches is something I’m very familiar with and will create for a smooth transition for me. My family and I are looking forward to becoming members of the Tiffin community. I can’t wait to get started and meet the players.”
In two seasons at Florida Southern, Swank helped the Mocs to a 62-6 overall record, two Sunshine State Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and the 2015 Division II National Championship. FSC went 36-1 overall during their national title season and 26-5 the year before as they advanced to the NCAA DII South Regional, with Kevin Capers named an All-American both seasons. Three Mocs, including Capers, went on to play professionally after the conclusion of their collegiate careers.
Swank also spent the 2012-13 season as an assistant coach at DIII Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa.
Swank is a 2011 graduate of Edinboro University, where he graduated with Cum Laude honors in health and physical education. He was a four-year letterman in football as a free safety and played basketball for the Fighting Scots in 2011-12. As a student-athlete with the Fighting Scots football team, Swank was named a Second-Team Academic All-American in 2008 and was a part of the squad that advanced to the second round of the NCAA DII Playoffs in 2009.
In September of 2016, Swank was inducted into the General McLane High School Hall of Fame for his athletic success and accomplishments in basketball, football, and track during his high school career.
https://tiffin.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/releases/20200820f3pfvx
