Columbus East High School

The Columbus East football program has a new leader on the defensive side of the ball. After serving as the Olympians’ wide receivers coach, Nathan Swafford has been appointed the team’s new defensive coordinator, and he’s embracing the challenge with energy and excitement. “I’m fired up to see what this group can do,” Swafford said. “We play with a lot of energy every day in practice and I can’t wait to see how that translates to Friday nights. We have multiple guys who can fly around and make plays all over the field.” Though the role is new, the transition has been smooth. Swafford already has strong relationships with players and coaches, and he credits both the staff and Head Coach Eddie Vogel for making the change seamless. “The transition has been smooth,” he explained. “I’ve been here for a while now and I know the culture, and I already have relationships with the players. The players know my expectations, and they know I’m going to work hard and do my best to put them in a position to succeed. We’ve got a staff that communicates well and trusts each other, and that’s been huge in keeping things running efficiently. Coach Vogel has also been a great person to learn from. Having him as a resource has been huge. He’s been nothing but supportive, and he’s helped make sure the handoff was smooth.” Looking ahead to the season, Swafford sees a team built on effort and speed. “Our speed and energy jump out immediately,” he said. “We play fast, and we don’t quit on plays. We rally to the football and thrive off of each other’s success. We may have some new faces, but the effort level and competitive edge are there every single day.” That mentality has been led by players who stepped up during the offseason. “We have several guys who have really stepped up and stood out this offseason,” Swafford said. “Joel Murphy, Christian Austin, and Brody Miller have all done their part in making this offseason productive. Every single one of them has brought energy to practice each and every day. They’ve been the type of leaders who pick their teammates up when mistakes happen, and they’re always the first ones to celebrate someone else’s success. That kind of positivity is contagious, and it’s helped create an environment where everyone feels confident to play fast and give their best. When your best players are your best leaders, that’s when you know you’ve got something special.” He also points to a summer that built toughness and set the tone for the fall. “The summer was huge for us,” he reflected. “We didn’t just ‘go through’ workouts — we pushed the tempo, we competed in everything, and we got tougher. The guys showed up ready to work, and that set the bar high for what’s expected this fall. We’ve built a foundation of effort, discipline, and pride in our craft, and that’s going to show up on Friday nights.” As the new defensive coordinator, Swafford’s message to his players is simple but powerful. “Play fast, play physical, and play for each other,” he said. “If we do those three things, the scoreboard will take care of itself. At the end of the day, I want them to leave the field knowing they gave everything they had for their teammates. I love each and every one of them and together we are going to do great things.” Coach Nathan Swafford's defense will be tested early as the Olympians travel to Bloomington South High School to face a Panther team that is rated #5 in the IFCA preseason poll. Game one of the 2025 IHSAA season will be Friday, August 22nd starting at 7 p.m. Good luck to Coach Swafford, the rest of the football staff, and student-athletes!!