Bio

Justin Sweeney is in his third season as the defensive coordinator at Northwood. He also works as the defensive backs coach.

The Northwood defense was outstanding in 2024, leading the Great Midwest in scoring while allowing 18.5 points per game.

In his first season at Northwood, the Timberwolves defense made dramatic improvements. NU allowed nearly 50 fewer yards per game and 4.2 fewer points per game. Overall, Northwood allowed 48 fewer points in 2024 than in 2023.

Sweeney followed head coach Dustin Beurer to Northwood after serving as the defensive coordinator at Albion for seven seasons. In his time at Albion, the Britons took home a pair of MIAA Championships. Sweeney was also the special teams coordinator at Albion. The Britons were consistently among the best defenses and special teams units in the MIAA in Sweeney’s time on staff.

A double graduate of Central Michigan University (B.A. – 2013, M.A. 2016), Sweeney was quality control coach for the Chippewas during three bowl seasons – the 2014 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl and the 2016 Miami Beach Bowl.

Sweeney also spent one season coaching at Ferris State (2013) and three years at Mt. Pleasant High School.