Updated January 20, 2020
Bill Dwan is entering his 20th season as a member of Dave Pietramala’s coaching staff, including his 14th as Associate Head Coach.
A 1991 Johns Hopkins graduate, Dwan assists Pietramala with the Johns Hopkins defense and works closely with the team’s faceoff specialists and all game planning. He also oversees the scout team defense and coordinates the team’s extensive video scouting and recruiting efforts.
Dwan has been an integral part of the program since his arrival in 2001. He has helped guide the Blue Jays to a 205-89 record, 18 trips to the NCAA Tournament, a pair of national championships and two other appearances in the national championship game. Since his arrival, Johns Hopkins defensemen have earned All-America honors a total of 26 times. In addition, Tucker Durkin ‘13 and Michael Evans ‘09 earned the William C. Schmeisser Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top defenseman.
Dwan and Pietramala guided the nation’s youngest defense in 2011 and the unit fueled a season that ended with a 13-3 record and a trip to the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Blue Jays finished sixth in the nation in scoring defense (7.25) despite starting a sophomore goalie and two sophomores and one freshman on close defense. Sophomores Pierce Bassett (G) and Durkin (D) both grabbed Second Team All-America honors.
Riding a stingy defense to success is nothing new as the 2007 run to the national championship came largely on the strength of a defense that fueled a season-ending nine-game winning streak. Hopkins allowed an average of just 7.22 goals per game during the nine-game winning streak after surrendering 8.5 goals per game up to that point.
The Blue Jays followed a similar script to the 2008 championship game as they rallied from a five-game losing streak on the strength of a defense that turned the corner at midseason. The Blue Jays allowed a total of just 40 goals during an eight-game winning streak that carried them to the title game. In a stunning 10-9 win over top-seeded Duke in the NCAA Semifinals, the Blue Jay defense held the Blue Devils more than six goals below their season scoring average. Senior Matt Bocklet joined Evans as a Third Team All-American.
The 2005 national championship was fueled by a defense that featured three All-Americans and an All-America goalie in then sophomore Jesse Schwartzman. Seniors Tom Garvey (1st Team) and Chris Watson (HM) and junior Matt Pinto (HM) spearheaded a unit that held 14 of 16 opponents to nine goals or less. The Hopkins defense capped its national title season by holding high-scoring Duke scoreless for more than 27 minutes to end the game. JHU finished second in the nation in scoring defense (6.94) in 2005.
After a 14-year absence from the national championship game, the Blue Jays returned to the title game in 2003 with a dominating offense and a suffocating defense. The Blue Jays finished third in the nation in scoring defense (6.94 goals per game) and second in man-down defense (40-of-47 man-down opportunities killed/.851) that season as they allowed more than 10 goals just once in 16 games, held 14 of 16 opponents to nine goals or less and eight of 16 to six goals or less.
In 2004, Hopkins finished ninth in the nation in scoring defense (7.67) and held 13 of 15 opponents to nine goals or less.
The 2003 Blue Jay defense was represented on the All-America team by senior goalie Rob Scherr and senior defenseman Michael Peyser, who both earned second team honors. In addition, Garvey and junior LSM Corey Harned were named to the NCAA All-Tournament team. Garvey (2nd Team) and Harned (HM) both earned All-America honors in 2004.
Dwan joined the coaching staff in 2001 and promptly helped coach a pair of senior defenders to All-America honors. In 2002 he was instrumental in the development of a defense that had lost all three starters to graduation.
The Blue Jays finished the 2002 season ranked 13th nationally in scoring defense and held every opponent to 12 goals or less (first time since 1986). Nine opponents were held to nine goals or less and JHU produced a pair of All-Americans on defense in Peyser and senior P.J. DiConza. The 2002 squad featured four new starters on defense, including the goalie.
Dwan served as an assistant coach at Loyola College in 1992 and 1995, helping the Greyhounds to a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament.
A standout defenseman during his career from 1988-91, Dwan was a three-time All-American at Johns Hopkins. He garnered Honorable Mention All-America honors as a sophomore and junior before earning Third Team All-America status as a senior. Dwan helped the Blue Jays to four appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a trip to the NCAA Championship game in 1989.
Dwan served as a team captain in 1991, when he was the recipient of the Fred Smith Trophy, which is awarded to the player on the Johns Hopkins team who demonstrates outstanding loyalty and dedication. As a junior, he earned the W. Taylor Cook Award for outstanding character and attitude.
Dwan and his wife, Pam, reside in Lutherville with their 18-year-old daughter, Grace, 16-year-old son, Billy, 14-year old daughter, Meghan, and 12-year old daughter, Heidi.
