Swan signs extension with NIU

Fresh off winning a MAC championship, Swan signs on to stay in DeKalb until 2026-2027

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Zulfiqar Ahmed

An aerial view of the NIU Track and Field & Soccer Complex during the Women’s game on Aug. 26.

By Noah Silver, Sports Reporter

DeKALB — NIU Athletics announced Tuesday that men’s soccer head coach Ryan Swan has agreed to a contract extension through the 2026-27 season.

Men’s soccer head coach Ryan Swan, who signed an extension Tuesday to stay as NIU’s head coach through 2026-2027. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Under Swan, the Huskies have beaten six nationally ranked opponents and cemented themselves as one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference, winning the regular season and conference championships this season. 

Off the field, the Huskies have also had 23 Academic All-MAC honorees selected during Swan’s first four seasons.

“Under the leadership of Coach Swan, our men’s soccer program has achieved tremendous success this season,” NIU Athletic Director Sean Frazier said in a Tuesday NIU Athletics news release. “Throughout Coach Swan’s tenure the program has moved forward both athletically and academically, helping to set the standard within our athletic department. Ryan is deserving of this extension, and we look forward to continued success under his leadership.”

The Huskies finished the season 14-2-2, including both the regular season MAC title and their first MAC conference championship since 2011.

I’m happy and privileged that Frazier and (Senior Associate Athletic Director) T.J. Feuerbach have the confidence and faith in me to lead this program,” Swan said in a Tuesday NIU Athletics news release. “I’m grateful to them and excited about what we have going on here. Our season is still going, and we hope to keep it going, but I am excited about the future, to continue working with our current team and future Huskies. My family and I are delighted to be a part of the NIU community.”

NIU was selected to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 and will host the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies at 6 p.m. on Thursday.