Port grad wins national title

More than one dream came true Monday night in New Orleans for the Schwanz family of Port Washington.

Aaron Schwanz, a 2003 Port High graduate, is a defensive analyst for Lousiana State University’s football team. The Tigers capped an undefeated season with a national title with a 42-25 victory over defending champion Clemson.

Schwanz smiled from ear to ear in post-game celebration photos, and he may not even have been the happiest member of his own family.

“For a family that loves football and sports in general, it’s a dream come true,” Aaron’s father Doug said on the phone before he headed to the airport for a return flight to Wisconsin.

“It’s a great reward for a dad to see his kid be that successful. It’s a humbling situation.”

Aaron’s mother Jackie was at the game, along with her other two sons, Matt and Jordie, and Jordie’s wife Laura. They sat in the lower level on about the 20-yard line with the family members of other LSU coaches.

“It was unbelievable. The atmosphere was unlike any other,” Jordie said.

The game was nerve-wracking when LSU fell behind, 17-7, in the first half. The family felt a little better when LSU went on a 21-0 run to take a 28-17 lead at the break.

But the Schwanzes never got too comfy.

“We were nervous until the last couple of minutes, to be honest with you,” Jordie said.

“Clemson is no joke. They’re a good team,” Doug said, referencing the Green Bay Packers blowing a 16-0 halftime lead at Seattle in the 2014 National Football Conference title game.

“Things can go south quickly,” he said.

But not on Monday night. LSU held Clemson to eight points in the second half, less than 400 yards of offense for the game and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter.

“I think he just had a sense of confidence in their game plan,” Doug said of Aaron. “He just felt like they were in a good spot.”

LSU’s offense has grabbed the lion’s share of the headlines this season, led by Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow. On Monday, he went 31-for-49 passing for 463 yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions, despite getting banged up.

He set a record with 60 touchdown passes this season and LSU became the first team in the last 123 years to go 15-0, putting it in consideration as one the best teams ever.

“They’re closely knit and I think they can beat anybody,” Doug said of LSU. “They’re one of the better teams in college football history.”

Doug had planned to go to the title game since early last month.

“I booked my flight the first week of December already. I was a little overconfident, I thought,” he said.

“It was well worth it. You’ve got to take advantage of these opportunities. How often are you able to go to national title games?”

His daughter was the only one who couldn’t make the trip.

The family’s flight left last Friday, earlier than scheduled due to the snowstorm predicted to hit the area. The family stayed in Nashville before flying to New Orleans.

The Schwanzes got to spend an hour with Aaron on Saturday night and then after the game.

They returned to their hotel around 1 a.m. when the after-party started.

“We celebrated the victory right, I’ll tell you that. We didn’t get any sleep last night,” Doug said.

The family attended a several games this season, including the 46-41 win over legendary coach Nick Saban and Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

“That’s a great atmosphere with great fans. There’s a lot of history there as well,” Doug said.

Aaron wasn’t available for comment on Tuesday.

His job throughout the season was to scout future opponents’ offenses and help develop defensive game plans. During games, he works the sidelines and makes adjustments as needed.

“My season schedule is a week ahead of what everybody else’s is,” told Ozaukee Press last month.

Aaron got the LSU job through a connection he made years ago. LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda held the same position at the University of Wisconsin from 2013 to 2015, when Schwanz was a graduate assistant with the Badgers.

Before heading to LSU, Schwanz worked with linebackers and coached special teams at Southeast Louisiana, just 45 minutes east of LSU’s home in Baton Rouge.

He has also helped coach defense at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas, and worked with quarterbacks and receivers at the University of Texas-El Paso.

At Port, Schwanz grew up playing sports and was a safety, wide receiver, running back and tight end for the Pirates. His uncle Tim Greisch was his high school coach.

Schwanz went on to play safety at UW-Oshkosh and earn a special education degree. He uses the teaching skills he learned in working with college football players.

His coaching philosophy is one of aggression he learned from Aranda. The plan is to stop the run on first and second down and disrupt the quarterback on third.

Schwanz said he still stays in touch with his high school teammates and returns to Port each summer. His parents, two brothers and sister are still there. His wife Morgan (Schecher) Schwanz is from Grafton and her family still lives there.