SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Rusty Filter, the newly hired Santa Clara head baseball coach, has added Tanner Swanson to the staff as an assistant coach.
Swanson joins the Broncos after spending the last five seasons at the University of Washington as a volunteer assistant coach. Swanson was responsible for the mentorship of the Husky catchers. During his tenure, UW catchers have garnered three All-Pac-12 Conference selections. In addition, he played a significant role in the day-to-day development of the programs' hitting, base-running and short game while also serving as the Director of the Washington Baseball School.
"I am thrilled about Tanner joining the staff," Filter said. "He is held in high regard throughout college baseball. He will bring strong character and a great work ethic to our program. He did a tremendous job at the University of Washington with their catchers and hitters. I feel that he is one of the best catching coaches out there and is a tremendous worker. His player development skills will be an integral part of the program. I also can't wait to get him on the recruiting trail, that is something he will be heavily involved in along with coach (Jon) Karcich."
Swanson played a pivotal part in the last two Husky catchers being selected in the top three rounds of the Major League Baseball Draft. Joey Morgan went 95th overall to the Detroit Tigers in the 2017 draft. D1baseball.com named Morgan the top catcher in the NCAA. Morgan was a 2017 Baseball America Second Team All-American, a two-time All-Pac-12 selection and 2017 All-Pac-12 Defensive Team member.
The only Husky catcher to ever be drafted higher than Morgan was his predecessor, Austin Rei, who was also coached by Swanson. Rei garnered All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 Defensive Team accolades in 2014 and was an all-conference honorable mention in 2015 after missing numerous games due to injury. The Boston Red Sox selected him in the third round in 2015.
Swanson went to UW as a graduate manager for the 2011-2012 season and, after briefly ascending into the role of Director of Baseball Operations, moved in to a coaching position in the fall of 2012. Prior to coming to Washington, Swanson was the head baseball coach at Green River Community College in Auburn, Washington, for the 2011 season. Before moving to Green River, Swanson worked as a lecturer in the School of Physical Education and School Health while also serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Central Washington University (CWU), in 2010. In 2009, Swanson was an assistant coach at Everett Community College and in 2008, he taught and coached baseball at Sultan High School.
Swanson grew up in Roslyn, Washington, where he attended Cle Elum-Roslyn High School, graduating in 2001. He went to Green River for one season and Everett CC for another, earning All-NWAACC honors as a sophomore in 2003. From there, he transferred to CWU, where he was an academic all-conference selection.
Swanson earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and School Health from CWU and is on track to complete his Masters in Sports Administration and Leadership from Seattle University this spring.
He and his wife Laura, are the parents of two daughters, Tatum and Harper.
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