Bediako Swan - Men's Soccer Coach (2024)

Bediako Swan enters his sixthseason leading the Daemen men's soccer program in 2024. Swan was introduced as the sixth head coach in the modern era (2000-present) of the program in 2019 following previous assistant coaching stops at both the Division I and II levels. A native of the island nation of Grenada, Swan is the first Grenadian to lead a collegiate soccer program in the United States.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Bediako Swan to the Daemen family, and introduce him to Western New York's Division II team," said Traci Murphy, director of athletics, at the time of Swan's hiring. "The search process produced a plethora of qualified candidates, and I am confident that we've identified a rising star in Bediako. It was easily apparent just how much passion he has for the game, and I'm looking forward to seeing that passion put to work with our student-athletes."

Swan's leadership abilities were put to the test early in his Daemen tenure as he guided the program through the uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. After the team's traditional fall season was canceled in 2020, Swan managed to refocus the program for an unorthodox and countable, albeit abbreviated, spring season. Swan led the team to a 3-2 record with wins over Medaille, Roberts Wesleyan and D'Youville. The team's 2-0 shutout of Medaillethat spring marked his first head coaching victory.

The Wildcats capitalized on the momentum created that spring and carried that over to a five-win campaign during the traditional 2021 season. It marked the program's most victories since 2018 and it included three East Coast Conference wins, tying the program record for conference wins in a season.

Continuedimprovement came in 2022 when the Wildcats went 7-7-3 overall and finished fifth in the ECC (3-4-1), finishing just one win shy earning the program's first-ever bid to the four-team ECC Championship tournament. The seven wins tied the program record for wins in a season set in 2005, 2006 and 2017. Defense was the key to Daemen's success in 2022, as the Wildcats limited 12 of their 17 opponents to one goal or less and established a NCAA-era record for fewest goals allowed (26) in a season.

TheSwan came to Daemen after spending the 2018 season assisting the Division I program at St. Francis University (Pa.) where he worked primarily with the team's goalkeepers. Swan contributed to the Red Flash's 9-5-3 campaign that included a 5-1-2 mark in Northeast Conference play. SFU goalkeepers posted a 1.18 goals-against average and compiled six shutouts last fall under Swan's tutelage. In addition, Swan assisted with various aspects of the program including recruiting, game-planning and scouting of opponents.

Before going to SFU, Swan spent four seasons (2014-17) assisting the men's soccer program at Division II Davis and Elkins College, his alma mater. The Senators averaged 10 wins per season in his tenure, which also included a run to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship finals and an NCAA Championships berth in 2017. Swan's time at D&E also included two seasons serving in a dual role as an assistant coach with the Senators' women's soccer program.

Also in 2017, Swan was selected to be part of the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 Program, a year-long education and mentorship opportunity for young coaches.

Swan is a 2012 graduate of Davis & Elkins where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History. He would earn hisMaster's degree in Sport Coaching from West Virginia University.

Swan had a successful playing career at D&E. He was a two-time first-team All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection as a striker, and he earned All-Atlantic Region honors as a senior. He also played internationally as a member of the Grenada Under-20 National Team.

In addition to his Daemen coaching duties, Swan serves as head coach of FCY New York, a semi-professional team based in Buffalo which competes in the United Premier Soccer League.

What people are saying about Bediako Swan...

"It has been a pleasure working with Bedi these past three years and watching his growth. Daemen has made a great choice. He will work hard to bring success to the men's soccer program. Your student-athletes will benefit immensely, as will the campus community. It will be exciting to watch the progress."
- Frank Olszewski, head men's soccer coach, St. Francis University (Pa.)

"Bediako is a tireless worker, and has a great rapport with the student-athletes that cannot be taught. His desire to be successful funnels into his players on the pitch and the classroom. Daemen got this hire right."
- Scott Phipps, head men's soccer coach, Alderson Broaddus University

"Bedi is one of the finest young coaches available today. His knowledge of the game is outstanding. He is excellent at placing players where they can succeed. He has a great eye for talent. He varies practices that keep the players motivated. He will do well as a head coach."
- Dr. Greg Myers, retired head men's soccer coach, Davis & Elkins College, U.S. Naval Academy, Florida International University, West Virginia University

"Bediako Swan is a very talented and promising collegiate soccer coach. I am very excited for him to have this opportunity at Daemen College, and I am confident that he will be very successful. It's a great fit for him."
- Bud Lewis, retired head men's soccer coach, Wilmington College (Del.)

Career Timeline

Career Head Coaching Record