Colton Swan aims to continue Utah’s defensive tradition while adding his own twist

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

This article was first published in the Ute Insiders newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Wednesday night.

Colton Swan’s first official game as Utah’s defensive coordinator will be Sept. 3 when the Utes open the season against Idaho, but he’s already had a quarter of experience calling the defense under head coach Morgan Scalley.

Scalley handed Swan the reins in the fourth quarter of Utah’s 44-22 win over Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl. Less than a week later, Swan was officially promoted to defensive coordinator.

The Jerome, Idaho, native has been coaching linebackers at Utah since 2019. Swan helped develop Devin Lloyd, who was selected with the 27th pick of the NFL draft, and also coached Francis Bernard, Mohamoud Diabate, Karene Reid and Nephi Sewell, all of whom got a shot in the NFL as undrafted free agents. Lander Barton could add to the list of pro Ute linebackers in this April’s NFL draft.

With Swan’s years of experience in Scalley’s defense, he was an obvious pick to continue Utah’s defensive culture. He has prior experience as a defensive coordinator at Weber State, where he was co-DC with Jake Cookus from 2009-11 while former Ute head coach Ron McBride was at the helm in Ogden.

This time around, however, it’s solely Swan’s show running the defense — though Scalley will still give his input from time to time.

In the seven years working with Utah’s former defensive coordinator, Swan has gleaned a lot from Scalley — especially the preparation that is put into each game plan.

“He’s one of the best in the country to do it and there’s a lot to learn from him,” Swan said. “Work ethic is probably one of them and just his meticulous way about handling his day-to-day business. He spent an enormous amount of time studying film. There wasn’t a stone that was left unturned when it came to his study habits and things of that nature.”

Swan also learned how to adjust and adapt in-game as part of Scalley’s staff.

“That’s probably one of the biggest things is just having an answer for everything. Being able to problem solve different things offenses are going to throw at you and being able to adapt and adjust and play in that kind of mind game with the offensive coordinator,” Swan said.

Part of that chess match with the offensive coordinator includes trying to absorb as much information as possible from the offense, such as formation, personnel, etc., before getting a defensive call in. For years, Scalley has waited until late in the play clock to radio or signal in his call to the defense, much to the chagrin of some Utah fans, but it’s a strategy that has mostly worked well.

“I think the uniqueness of that is awesome, the ability to adapt and adjust on the move, and that can throw offenses off,” Swan said. “But at the same time, knowing your personnel and how your defense works, giving them consistency is really big.

“I think that players can really know and understand what they’re trying to get done and execute at a very high level. Sometimes when you’re throwing them stuff like that, last second, the ability to execute at a high level may be lacking a little bit and you kind of go into the, ‘Hey, I’m going to try to trick the offense or trick the quarterback or trick the offense coordinator,’ and you end up tricking yourself. And so it’s a fine line.

“It’s a catch-22. And so you just, as a coordinator, you got to have the mindset of, OK, this is what we do, this is what we do really well, and let’s go out there and make sure that we have answers for everything the offense does to it.”

Under Scalley, Utah’s defenses have been consistently good, finishing the season ranked in the top 25 in fewest points allowed five times. That included the 2025 campaign, and though there were struggles stopping the run near the end of the season, Utah still finished the year on a six-game winning streak.

Speaking of that run defense — the Utes allowed 472 yards to Kansas State and 290 to Kansas to close the regular season — a good chunk of the blame lies with the performance of the defensive tackles.

That room is one to keep an eye on this fall, as the Utes will need players like sophomores Karson Kaufusi and Pupu Sepulona to step up, alongside transfers Jireh Moe and Lucas Samsula.

“Yeah, that’s been a position group that needs to reestablish its identity for sure. And thus far they’re doing so,” Swan said. “It’s a great group. The work ethic is through the roof. We’ve got a bunch of guys in there that are competing for starting spots and that are trying to get on the field and we’re seeing that.”

Familiar, but with his own stamp

Under Swan, Utah’s 4-3 defense is expected to remain pretty much the same, though he’ll put his own stamp on certain things.

“He’s great. Culture’s the same. Playbook’s … We got the same defense. He adds his own twist to it, but basically everything’s the same,” said safety Jackson Bennee. “I love his energy too. Coach Swan, he is like the definition of energy. He brings the weather every day. He helps us bring the weather. Yeah, I love working with Swan. He’s awesome.”

Swan is still getting his feet under him as he commands the entire defense, not just the linebacker room — though he held onto his job as their position coach. That expanded role is important off the field as he helps keep track of academics for the entire defense. On the field, there’s been a bit of an adjustment period.

“It’s very interesting to kind of have that perspective. It’s something that you definitely have to train to because you are sitting there thinking, OK, what is this corner doing? What’s that nickel doing? What’s that safety doing? Oh, by the way, your linebacker missed his gap or whatever,” Swan said.

“And so you got to be able to train your eyes to look where they’re supposed to look at the correct time or see what you’re supposed to see at the correct time. It’s tough, but with reps and training and things like that, film study, it’s coming along.”

Ride ’em, cowboy

Swan spends part of his offseason competing in rodeo events. As a student, he arrived at Weber State on a rodeo scholarship before walking onto the football team as a linebacker, and while football has been the priority since then, he’s kept his rodeo roots intact. Over the years, he’s done it all, from riding bulls to team roping, and he has the fake teeth to prove it — battle scars from cowboying.

From Fred Whittingham to Kyle Whittingham to Scalley, Utah’s defense has always taken on a tough-nosed identity. Sometimes the Utes didn’t have the sheer talent, especially compared to Pac-12 foes Oregon and USC, but they made up for it with physical play that wore down an offense.

It’s safe to say that that mentality will continue under Swan, and the defense will take on the personality of its coordinator — tough, smart and disciplined. That fits into Scalley’s long-held defensive culture, one that he’s instilling teamwide — RSNB (Relentless, Smart, Nasty, Ballhawks).

Scalley has entrusted his defense to Swan and has full belief in his ability to elevate the play of the group, but that’s not to say it’s going to be an easy task. For the first time in quite a while, there may be more questions about the defense than the offense heading into the season — something that isn’t usually the case at Utah.

Holes to fill

The Utes are replacing every starter along the defensive line, along with a starting linebacker and two cornerbacks (a starting outside cornerback and a nickel back). Can the defensive tackle room get back to its usual standards? Can cornerback play be consistent with all of the new faces?

Those questions, and more, will need to be answered this fall, but Scalley has confidence in Swan to have the defense playing at their best when the lights go on.

As most coaches are wont to do, Swan will give the players all the credit, but when asked what makes him the right person to be Utah’s defensive coordinator, he provided some insight.

“I think a lot of the attributes with even how I was raised and brought up, I like to be very meticulous. I like to be on top of everything that I do and have answers for it,” Swan said. Being a linebacker and a linebacker coach, you got to be involved in the run game, you got to be involved in the pass game.”

“So you have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the entire field. And so it’s just been something that I’ve set forth for myself as goals to see myself work into that role and luckily and thankfully, coach Scalley saw the same in me. I’m excited for this opportunity.”

For the first time in a decade, someone else will be calling Utah’s defense, but the expectation is that the identity — and the results — won’t skip a beat.

In case you missed it

What’s standing out for Morgan Scalley as Utes embark on Week 3 of spring ball? Ute head coach provides updates on offensive, defensive line, running back room and more.

From the archives

Extra points

Report: Utah forward Keanu Dawes enters transfer portal

Utah AD Mark Harlan will return to College Football Playoff selection committee in 2026

NCAA rules in favor of harsh punishments for schools that circumvent transfer rules

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos