THE AUTHORS

John Swanson coached for 31 years at Grand Island Senior High School, 20 of which were as the full-time strength and conditioning coach. Coach Swanson was the first full-time strength coach with an advanced degree in the exercise sciences and certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS *D, RSCC *E) and USA Weightlifting. Since retiring, Coach Swanson has traveled the State of Nebraska speaking to coaches and school districts about strength and conditioning, culture, and program design. He has also worked as a Blue and Gold Officer for the United States Naval Academy for the past 4 years. John enjoys a quiet life with his wife Rachel and his two hunting dogs on their farmstead, where they raise their own food.

A veteran teacher and coach for almost 40 years, Coach Jeff Tomlin served as the head football coach at Grand Island Senior High for the last 21 years of his career. Tomlin served as a head football coach for 31 years and a head track and field coach for 13 years. Coach Tomlin led 25 of his 31 football teams to the Nebraska State Football Playoffs with 14 quarterfinal appearances, four semi-final appearances, and one state-final appearance. His teams also earned a combined 11 Conference and 6 District Championships. Tomlin’s career record as a head football coach was 204-114. As the longest-tenured head football coach in Grand Island Sr. High history (twenty-one seasons), Tomlin ended his career as Grand Island Sr. High’s winningest coach, tallying a 148-74 overall record with 19 playoff appearances and 18 playoff wins. As a head track coach, Coach Tomlin led his teams to 4 Conference and 2 District Titles and a Class B State Runner-Up finish in 2002. Tomlin earned several accolades as a coach, including being recognized with the Mike Behrens Coach Award (Awarded by Huskerland Prep) in 2013 and 2018, earning the Semper Fi Coach Award from the United States Marine Corps in 2016, and being named the HUDL-Nebraska Coaches Association State Football Coach of the Year in 2018. Jeff is currently an assistant football coach at Hastings College. Coach Tomlin is a speaker and presenter in the areas of leadership, culture, and mental performance. Jeff and his wife, Maria, live in Grand Island, NE.