WEST CHESTER, PA – Twenty-one years, twenty seasons is a long time. It's a long time to do anything – especially coach football at the same institution. Next Saturday, one of the most iconic figures in coaching will put a lid on a career that has been nothing short of spectacular.
West Chester University football head coach Bill Zwaan will retire from coaching at the end of the 2023 season. He announced his intention at the Killinger Foundation Football Hall of Fame banquet ceremony Saturday evening and made it official Monday morning.
"These past two decades as the head football coach at West Chester have been an incredibly great time for me and my family," Zwaan said. "First, I want to thank my family, especially my wife, Rosemary. They have been so supportive and such great fans, despite the fact that I am not very easy to be around after losses.
"Next, I want to thank all of my assistant coaches and their families. I could not have asked for more loyal, hard-working men who have given me and the program everything they had. The most important part about them was they cared deeply about our players. I want to thank our administration, both athletic and university. They have given me so much support over the years, and I appreciate them all very much. I also want to thank all of those who worked behind the scenes, equipment managers, film crews, strength & conditioning coaches, the nutrition department, our academic support people, admissions, financial aid and especially the athletic trainers – all of whom I have developed a special relationship with over the years. I thank them all for what they did for me and my players.
"Finally, last but not least, I want to thank my players. I cannot thank them enough for all they have given me over the years."
Division II's current active wins leader will step down after next Saturday's season finale at home against Clarion University. Kickoff of Zwaan's finale is set for 12 p.m. at John A. Farrell Stadium.
"For 21 years, head football coach Bill Zwaan's impact on our University community has been nothing less than outstanding --- on the field as well as off," said President Chris Fiorentino. "With a total of 216 wins, Bill is the NCAA Division II all-time winningest active head coach. While his record can't be matched as a football coach, he holds an equally impressive record with our students as teacher, mentor and friend. Throughout his career at this University, Bill has helped numerous students find jobs, counseling, shelter, food, and assistance with medical insurance. He has gone above and beyond for all of our Golden Rams. Thanks to Bill Zwaan, countless West Chester University students have crossed the finish line to graduate and they credit him with their success. Our entire community of educators is quite grateful to Bill and the years that he has spent fueling student success on our campus."
"When I learned of Bill's intention to retire, my mind was flooded with different thoughts and emotions," West Chester Director of Athletics Terry Beattie said. "I learned upon my arrival at WCU in 2004 just what a good man he is. I am aware of all his records and his coaching accolades. But his greatest legacy, in my opinion, will be all the lives he impacted through his love of the game. Countless young men that have had the opportunity to play for him throughout his career are better for just having had him in their lives. I, too, count myself among that group.
"Bill has been a selfless leader, a mentor and friend to so many during his many years at WCU. In addition to his accomplishments on the field, he has given generously of his time and heart to benefit the students of WCU's Promise Program and many other great causes in the community.
"I am so thankful for all that Bill has done for me, our program and our university and wish him much health and happiness in this next chapter of his life."
A career that has spanned nearly 40 years comes to an end on Veteran's Day. But a legacy that was built throughout that era will live on. There are not too many professions that afford you the opportunity to touch so many lives. For Zwaan, that's roughly 4,000 lives he has influenced while coaching a game he loves.
"I cannot say enough about the incredible student-athletes who have played for me," Zwaan continued. "I think they all know that I care for them very much, and that I will always remember what they did for me.
"I also want to mention the other places where I coached over the years, where I had similar support from so many – Widener University, Martin County High School (Stuart, Fla.) and Kings Point (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)."
Over the past two decades, Zwaan has put together one of the most impressive coaching resume's in all of Division II. He is 162-76 in that span. He has won six Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division titles and in 2018 added an outright PSAC Championship crown to his list of accomplishments. 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. He has steered the institution to the national semifinals twice. His 21 years of service to Golden Rams football is the second-longest stint as head coach in school history.
Overall, Zwaan is 216-90, including his six seasons at Division III Widener University just down the road. He still owns the highest winning percentage in school history at Widener and led that institution to the Division III national semifinals.
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 College Football Hall of Famer, W. Glenn Killinger, with his 148th win at the school against Bloomsburg on Homecoming Weekend.
Throughout his 26-year head coaching career, Zwaan has been the catalyst for the Promise Program at West Chester University, donated his time to the Autism Awareness Programs in the Philadelphia area, helped spearhead the "Be The Match" bone marrow program headlined by former Villanova head coach Andy Talley, gotten involved with the Thanksgiving Dinner Project through the Neuman Center on WCU's campus, partnered with the Intellectually Disabled Students Internship Program supported through the Ram Initiative Program and worked with the Travis Manion Foundation Heroes Run … and that is just the tip of the iceberg for Zwaan's community engagement.
For the past six years, Zwaan and his family have run a Christmas holiday program to help WCU's homeless students. It started with 12 students the first year (2017) and has now grown to over 50 students this past Christmas. Each holiday season, the Zwaan's get the university and the local community involved and have been able to give homeless students close to $100,000 worth of gifts, gift cards and holiday dinners. His family has also established a fund to help those students throughout the year. That fund is called the Promise Program.
They don't make 'em like Coach Zwaan anymore. His presence will sorely be missed.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH ZWAAN …
"Bill is a phenomenal leader, mentor and coach, who advocates for the student-athlete and believes in giving back to the community. His impact on campus has been huge and will definitely be missed."
DAMIEN BLAIR ('06, MS '07)
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY
MEN'S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH
"Bill is the ultimate professional. From day one, he has been my go-to in the Athletic Department. We talk shop, WCU athletics, kids and grandkids – and most importantly, we talk Philly Sports. Bill is one of the most genuine coaches that I have ever come across. He truly wants to see everyone at WCU find success on and off the field. From swabbing cheeks of potential bone marrow matches to providing the best possible holiday celebration to those in need, his community outreach truly defines who Bill Zwaan is as a man. He has always been about the big picture. He is kind. He is professional. He is passionate. In short, he is a role model to our entire staff. I will miss him. But, his impact on our department will be lasting. Congratulations, Bill, on your retirement."
AMY COHEN
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY
FIELD HOCKEY HEAD COACH
"I respected him as a coach. But, more importantly, I respected him as a man who loves his family. He always shook your hand, win or lose, and he didn't lose too often. He was a fierce competitor and truly a great ambassador for the PSAC and West Chester University."
DANNY HALE ('68, MS '73)
FORMER BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY HEAD COACH
FORMER WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY HEAD COACH
RETIRED
"I hold Bill Zwaan in the highest regard. When he came to WCU it was apparent that he had previously been an Athletic Director. Coach Zwaan's work on the football field speaks for itself. But, he also cared about all of the programs, and all the people, in the athletic department. Despite the tremendous time demands and pressure associated with running a football program, he worked to assist other programs, support other coaches and promote both WCU and the PSAC.
"Additionally, the service component of the football program raised the bar for all of our other teams with his involvement in "Be The Match" bone marrow program and "Autism Speaks". I am very grateful that my career and Bill Zwaan's career intersected."
DEIRDRE KANE
FORMER WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH
RETIRED
"This is the end of a very successful era in West Chester University football. Bill Zwaan turned out to be better than advertised when I hired him 21 years ago. He was a leader – not just in football – but to all of the coaches with whom he worked. There were never complaints from his players, and his treatment of them was a large part of his success. Players wanted to play for Bill Zwaan. They wanted to win for him. He inspired them to also be successful in the classroom and contribute to the university and the community. He will absolutely be very difficult to replace, and I wish him great enjoyment in his retirement."
DR. EDWARD M. MATEJKOVIC ('69, MS '75)
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS EMERITUS
RETIRED
"Bill Zwaan has helped elevate the PSAC in every way possible; by the quality of teams he puts on the field, the passion he exudes for the game and his leadership among his conference and national colleagues. He is made all of us better during his tenure with the Golden Rams."
STEVE MURRAY
PENNSYLVANIA STATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
COMMISSIONER
