Bill Zwaan begins his 21st season as head coach of the Golden Rams, having put together one of the most impressive coaching resume’s in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) over the last two decades.

Zwaan has won six PSAC Eastern Division titles (2004, 2007, 2008, 2015 and 2017, 2018) and in 2018 added an outright PSAC Championship crown to his resume. Additionally, he has copped Coach of the Year plaudits five times and guided the Golden Rams to the NCAA II playoffs a school-record 10 times and steering the institution to the national semifinals twice (2004 and 2013). His 20 years of service to Golden Rams football is the second-longest stint as head coach in school history. Only the legendary W. Glenn Killinger coached West Chester football for a longer period of time (23 years).

In the fall of 2021, Zwaan surpassed two coaching milestones for victories when he earned his 200th career win at home against Edinboro in the third game of the season and then became West Chester University's all-time winningest head coach when he topped W. Glenn Killinger with his 148th win at the school against Bloomsburg on Homecoming Weekend.

In 20 competitive years on West Chester’s sideline, Zwaan has masterminded a 157-71 (.689) record. He sports an overall record of 211-85 (.713) in 26 seasons of play.

Additionally, Zwaan’s 26 years of service as a head coach is sixth across the nation in Division II in terms of longevity. His .689 career winning percentage ranks 17th among active head coaches across all divisions. His 211 career wins are the most among active Division II coaches in the country.

The Golden Rams' 28-9 victory over Kutztown on the road in the final PSAC contest of the year was Zwaan's 100th conference win. West Chester has never suffered a losing season in conference play under Zwaan’s tutelage either, authoring a 100-28 (.786) mark against primarily the PSAC Eastern Division since 2003.

The 26-year college football mentor is one of only a handful of college coaches to lead a school to the NCAA Tournament semifinals at both the Division II and III levels, having guided West Chester to the Division II semifinals in both 2004 and 2013, and Widener University to the Division III semifinals in 2000. He was inducted into the Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania State Sports Hall of Fame in July 2008.

West Chester University has captured the Team of the Year award handed out by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) nine times during Zwaan’s tenure (2004, 2006-09, 2013-14, 2018-19).     

In his first 21 years at West Chester University, Zwaan has mentored seven All-Americans and 12 players who were finalists for player of the year at their respective positions. Linebacker Jackson Taylor was the latest in a long list of Cliff Harris Award finalists in 2022. In 2019, two Golden Rams were named finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, handed out to the top small school defensive player in the country, marking the first time that West Chester landed a pair of finalists on the list.

Overall, Zwaan has produced 13 All-Americans and four academic All-Americans. One of his WCU protégé's, MLB Ronell Williams was the first sophomore All-America selection in Zwaan’s coaching career. Additionally, former WR Mike Washington caught for more than 4,000 yards during his college career and set numerous records on the national, conference and school levels. His record of 50 straight games with at least one pass reception is a Division II record and one shy of the NCAA record at any level.

Currently, two former Golden Rams play in the resurrected USFL. Jarey Elder is a defensive back for the New Orleans Breakers while Shane Griffin is an offensive lineman for the Michigan Panthers. Former defensive end Ch'aim Smith plays for the Northern Arizona Wranglers in the Indoor Football League as well.

Place-kicker, Shawn Leo, was named a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award in both 2010 and 2011, handed out to the national kicker of the year, who exemplifies excellence both on the field and in their community.

Meanwhile, former wide receiver Mike Washington was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2008, handed out to the Division II national player of the year, and former standouts Rondell White and Sean McCartney were each finalists for the same award in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, linebacker, Ronell Williams was named a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award in 2013, and defensive back Al-Hajj Shabazz was a finalist fo that honor in 2014.

Shabazz, who signed a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts and spent some time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, appeared in eight NFL games in 2016 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He moved over to the Baltimore Ravens and later the Detroit Lions. The most recent Golden Ram to get a shot in the NFL is Nydair Rouse, who was signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers in 2018 and spent the preseason with The Pack.

Former WR Dan DePalma, another product of Zwaan’s Spread Wing-T offense, spent three seasons in the NFL on the practice squad for the New York Giants in 2011 and 2012, before moving over to the San Diego Chargers practice squad in 2013. DePalma also spent some time in the Canadian Football League.

Former linebacker Sam Scott enjoyed a lengthy career north of the border in the CFL. He played eight seasons in Canada, before retiring and going into coaching. He spent time with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Calgary Stampede as well as the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Scott joined Zwaan's coaching staff once his playing days were over and coached the Golden Rams' defensive line for parts of four seasons.

Before the pandemic, Zwaan engineered another NCAA Tournament campaign, the Golden Rams third straight bid to the postseason, while senior DB Jarey Elder was named the Defensive Player of the Year and freshman RB Ja'Den McKenzie was tabbed the Eastern Division Rookie of the Year and Don Hansen FB Gazette Atlantic Region Freshman of the Year. West Chester finished the campaign at 8-3 and in second place in the PSAC East. A loss to Notre Dame College (Ohio) ended an otherwise successful campaign. Senior DE Ch'aim Smith was dubbed an American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) first team All-American at season's end.

In 2018, West Chester finished up an undefeated regular season, its first since 1967, with Zwaan steering his charges to the PSAC Championship Game for the third time in four seasons. A 33-10 victory on the road over Slippery Rock handed the Golden Rams their first outright conference crown since 1971. Zwaan was named Coach of the Year in the East as well as in the ECAC, and Morrissey was named the loop's defensive player of the year for the second straight time. The Rams finished 10-1 on the year, after a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the NCAA II Playoffs.

West Chester captured its second PSAC Eastern Division title in a three-year span in 2017, showing a 6-1 mark against league competition. It was enough to land the Golden Rams in the PSAC Championship Game as well as earning the Purple & Gold a berth in the NCAA II Playoffs. A first-round win on the road over Shippensburg gave West Chester a shot at redemption over national power Indiana (Pa.), which had beaten the Rams in the PSAC title game two weeks prior. However, that is where the Golden Rams’ playoff run ended.

West Chester landed 13 players on the All-PSAC East squad and 10 on the All-ECAC list. Meanwhile, junior LB Tyler Morrissey was lauded as an All-American and finalist for the Cliff Harris Award. Junior Punter, Brendan Paulison, was also a postseason All-America selection and finished fourth in the country in punting.

Eight years ago, Zwaan snared the PSAC East title for the fourth time in his tenure at West Chester, reaching the PSAC Championship Game for the second time. With a sophomore quarterback and a young offensive line, the Golden Rams pulled out a division crown under difficult circumstances. The Golden Rams finished 6-1 in league play, before falling to nationally ranked Slippery Rock in the conference championship game to end the 2015 campaign.

In 2013, the Golden Rams won a single-season best 13 contests on their way to the national semifinals. Senior RB Rondell White set a slew of school and conference records, including rushing yards in a single season while becoming the institution's all-time leading rusher. Senior TE Tim Brown and junior QB Sean McCartney made up one of the most potent offenses ever assembled under Zwaan.

In 2014, West Chester defeated PSAC rival Slippery Rock in the first round, before falling to Mountain East Conference champion Concord on the road in the second round.

Despite having the reputation as a head coach that favors throwing the ball, Zwaan’s stable of running backs each fall wind up among the conference leaders in rushing. Former RB Rondell White set 21 school records during his four-year tenure at West Chester that ended in 2013. The consensus All-America running back finished 2013 with 1,989 rushing yards, 843 receiving yards and 275 return yards. His 406 carries also broke the NCAA Division II single-season record. White is the only running back in DII history to eclipse 400 rushing attempts in a single season. White is the Golden Rams’ all-time leading rusher (4,336 yards). He was named to the AFCA Division II All-America Team, AP Little All-America Football Team and the All-PSAC Eastern Division First Team while being named the ECAC Offensive player of the year and being honored by the Maxwell Football Club and the Philadelphia Sports Writers’ Association as regional player of the year on both occasions.    

Defensively, linebackers Morrissey, Ronell Williams, Mike Dell and Lateef Ferguson are widely considered four of the best Zwaan has overseen during his 21 years at West Chester. Williams was named a finalist for the inaugural Cliff Harris Award as the top small college defensive football player in the country, representing nearly 500 NCAA Division II, III and NAIA colleges and universities. Morrissey, Dell and Ferguson were all conference defensive players of the year with both Morrissey and Ferguson turning the trick twice. Joining that list of linebackers to win defensive player of the year plaudits twice was Jackson Taylor in 2021 and 2022. Taylor certainly cemented his name with the other great linebackers at West Chester before moving on to the University of Delaware for his senior season.

Despite the disappointment in not reaching the postseason in 2009, West Chester’s defense was the top-ranked unit in the PSAC, highlighted by a run defense that yielded just over 77 yards rushing per contest. The Golden Rams’ offense was ranked third in the PSAC under the guidance of sixth-year senior QB Joe Wright, who finished the year as the loop’s second-rated passer.

West Chester finished 9-4 in 2008 with the school’s second consecutive PSAC Eastern Division title in tow, marking the third straight nine-win campaign and second straight undefeated conference slate. As a result, West Chester captured the Division II team of the year award in the ECAC for the second straight season. The Golden Rams made it five postseason appearances in a row, topping Southern Connecticut State, 52-32, in the first round of the NCAA playoffs and setting a school record for most points in a playoff game.

West Chester boasted the conference’s second-ranked offense, averaging 428 yards per game and scoring 58 touchdowns. Senior WR Mike Washington was the focal point of that offense, earning Division II first team All-America accolades and being honored as one of eight finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy handed out to the Division II player of the year.

In 2007, West Chester posted an overall record of 9-3 en route to the PSAC Eastern Division crown with a perfect 5-0 mark. The Golden Rams once again reached the NCAA II playoffs.

After guiding the Golden Rams to a 9-4 mark in 2006, including a first-round victory over Bryant in the postseason, West Chester captured its second ECAC Division II Team of the Year in three seasons.

In 2004, Zwaan was chosen the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Coach of the Year as his club posted a school-record 11 victories against just four losses. The Golden Rams won the PSAC East, captured the Division II Lambert Trophy for the first time since 1967 and claimed an NCAA Division II playoff victory for the first time in the history of the program.

Zwaan’s magical run through the NCAA II playoffs ended with a loss to national power Valdosta State (Ga.) in the semifinals. It marked the first time in school history that West Chester University won the NCAA regional championship and advanced to the semifinals.

The former Widener University head football coach and director of athletics took over the Golden Rams’ coaching reins in February of 2003. He led West Chester to an 8-3 mark, its most wins in a season since 1999.

In 2002, Zwaan completed his sixth and final year as head coach of perennial NCAA Division III powerhouse Widener by leading the Pride to their third consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference championship with a 9-1 mark. He stepped down from his post as both head coach and the school’s athletics director to take over at West Chester.

Zwaan still owns the highest winning percentage in school history at Widener University with a .794 ledger (54-14). In 2001, he guided Widener to its second straight MAC title and a spot in the national quarterfinals. He produced the first undefeated regular season in 20 years and reached second in the Division III national polls for five weeks during the campaign.

In addition to being named the MAC and Region II Coach of the Year in 2000, and again in 2001, Zwaan was named the Tri-State Region Coach of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club and was also honored as the American Football Monthly Coach of the Year.

Widener won a dozen games in both the 2001 (12-1) and 2000 (12-2) seasons and the Pride advanced to the NCAA Division III national semifinals in 2000. That year, Widener also captured the Division III Lambert Cup and also won the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III team of the year award.

Former Widener University wide receiver Michael Coleman became the first Pride player drafted by the NFL in 20 years (2002) thanks to Zwaan’s tutelage. Jim Jones, who along with Coleman, helped form the most formidable receiving tandem in the country, signed a free agent contract following the draft that same year.

Former Widener standout T.J. Hess received two of the highest honors in the nation as he was named Academic All-America of the Year for the college division (Divisions II, III, NAIA) and was one of 16 recipients of an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame while playing for Zwaan.

Zwaan has been an outspoken advocate for both Autism Speaks and the “Be The Match” national marrow donor program many college football programs across all three divisions around the country have gotten involved with. Each fall, Zwaan and his football players take part in the Autism Walk in Philadelphia that raises money for autism. His tradition of selected an individual with Autism to run for a touchdown during the Golden Rams' spring game each April has been a huge hit.

Since 2007, Zwaan has been involved with the “Be The Match” marrow donor program through the assistance of former Villanova head coach Andy Talley. Each spring, Zwaan’s football team holds a bone marrow drive on campus to sign people up and help grow the list of potential donors. That effort has resulted in five West Chester University students being deemed a match and helping to save a life.

Former football players Dom Dividio, Bill Pommerer and Jared Bonacquisti were all singled out as potential matches in 2011. All underwent the extended testing necessary to determine if they are, in fact, a match for somebody. Of the three, Jared Bonacquisti was a match for a man in Illinois. Bonacquisti had the procedure done and the process helped save that person’s life.

In 2013, one year after going through the bone marrow transplant process, Bonacquisti met his match – so to speak – and had the opportunity to meet the person who’s life he saved by donating his bone marrow.

The fourth WCU student-athlete found to be a potential match was All-America women’s lacrosse player, Tori Dugan. She went through the process before her senior year in 2012 and was deemed a match as well.  

Zwaan was a standout quarterback at the University of Delaware during his college playing days, leading the Blue Hens to the 1974 NCAA Division II national championship game. He earned his bachelor’s of science degree in Marketing Management in 1979.

Zwaan resides in Malvern, Pa., with his wife Rosemary. Together, they raised two children, Bill Jr., and Caroline. Zwaan’s son is a 2008 graduate of West Chester University and former quarterback for the Golden Rams, who now serves as his father's offensive coordinator.
 

YEAR	SCHOOL	OVERALL	WIN PCT.	CONFERENCE	WIN PCT.	SEASON NOTES
1997	Widener	7-3	.700	7-3 (3-2 Commonwealth Div.)	.700
1998	Widener	8-3	.727	8-2 (4-1 Commonwealth Div.)	.800	ECAC Championships
1999	Widener	6-4	.600	6-3 (3-2 Commonwealth Div.)	.667
2000	Widener	12-2	.857	9-0 (5-0 Commonwealth Div.)	1.000	NCAA III Playoffs ; MAC Champs
2001	Widener	12-1	.923	9-0	.900	NCAA III Playoffs ; MAC Champs
2002	Widener	9-1	.900	8-1	.800	NCAA III Playoffs ; MAC Champs
6 years		54-14	.794	47-9	.839	2-time MAC Coach of the Year
2003	West Chester	8-3	.727	4-2	.667
2004	West Chester	11-4	.733	6-0	1.000	NCAA II Playoffs ; PSAC East Champs
2005	West Chester	8-4	.667	5-1	.833	NCAA II Playoffs ;
2006	West Chester	9-4	.692	5-1	.833	NCAA II Playoffs ;
2007	West Chester	9-3	.750	5-0	1.000	NCAA II Playoffs ; PSAC East Champs
2008	West Chester	9-4	.692	7-0	1.000	NCAA II Playoffs ; PSAC East Champs
2009	West Chester	7-4	.636	5-2	.714
2010	West Chester	4-7	.363	4-3	.571
2011	West Chester	5-6	.455	4-3	.571
2012	West Chester	7-4	.636	4-3	.571
2013	West Chester	13-2	.867	6-1	.857	NCAA II Playoffs
2014	West Chester	11-2	.846	8-1	.889	NCAA II Playoffs
2015	West Chester	7-4	.636	6-1	.857	PSAC East Champs
2016	West Chester	8-3	.727	6-1	.857
2017	West Chester	9-4	.692	6-1	.857	NCAA II Playoffs ; PSAC East Champs
2018	West Chester	10-1	.909	6-0	1.000	NCAA II Playoffs ; PSAC Champions
2019	West Chester	9-3	.750	5-2	.714	NCAA II Playoffs
2020						season canceled due to Covid-19
2021	West Chester	6-5	.545	4-3	.571
2022	West Chester	7-4	.636	4-3	.571
20 years		157-71	.689	100-28	.781	5-time PSAC East Coach of Year
26 years		211-85	.712	147-37	.799