ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – First-year head coach Mike McElroy, who was named the successor of long-time head coach Steve Johnson who announced his retirement last season, announced additions to Bethel University football coaching staff for the upcoming 2024 season.
 
Colin Duling has been named the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach replacing AJ Parnell who departed Bethel to become the quarterbacks coach at Winona State. Also moving into a full-time role after being a volunteer assistant last season is Tavian Swanson who will coach the corners and special teams.
 
Duling comes to Arden Hills after serving as the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Berry. Duling was with the Vikings since 2017 and was promoted to offensive coordinator following the 2020-21 season after being coaching the quarterbacks since 2018.
 
"We are so excited to add Colin to the staff. He fits what Bethel football is as a leader of men, and husband and follower of Jesus," said McElroy. He has had tremendous success at Berry and we are excited about what he will bring to our offensive unit. He is a great teacher and his guys execute at a high level as evident by the points produced last season."
 
At Berry, he led the Vikings to the third best scoring offense in the nation last season averaging 53.4 points per game and was fifth in total offense at 513.2 yards per game. Last season running back Brandon Cade under Duling's offense was an AFCA First Team All-American and was named a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy. During his tenure the Vikings won two SAA Championships and made two NCAA Playoff appearances.
 
A native of Clinton, Ill., Duling joined the Vikings from Division I Northern Illinois where he served as the Offensive Graduate Assistant for quarterbacks and Offensive Quality Control Specialist for wideouts. Prior to NIU he was an offensive graduate assistant at Southwest Minnesota State. 
 
Completing his undergraduate degree at Illinois College, Duling had a strong career as a wide receiver. He compiled over 100 receptions for better than 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career. He helped his team to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2011 for the first time in program history and was a member of the winningest class in school history upon graduation. He was also a three-time Midwest Conference All-Academic team selection.
 
Duling takes over for departing A.J. Parnell who was named the quarterbacks coach at Winona earlier this month. Parnell spent the last seven season on staff and was the offensive coordinator for the last three. Under Parnell, quarterback Jaran Roste was named a Gagliardi Semifinalist in 2021 and 2022. Defensive Lineman Kyle Kilgore earned numerous awards in two seasons (2017-18) under Parnell's tutelage including: AFCA Second Team All-American, D3football.com Honorable Mention All-America, MIAC First Team All-Conference (two-time recipient), D3football.com Third Team All-West Region (two-time recipient), Cliff Harris Award Finalist and AFCA Allstate Good Works Team member. 
 
McElroy says, "We are grateful for the foundation AJ has helped lay here the last three years as our offensive coordinator. He cared deeply for our guys and their hearts. We know in this profession when you have success others will notice. AJ will be great in his new role at Winona."
 
Rounding out McElroy's full-time staff is Tavian Swanson who has been elevated to cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator. Last season he served in a volunteer assistant role coaching the defensive backs. BU's defense last season has 21 interceptions, ranking fifth nationally. The group was highlighted by Third Team All-American Matt Jung who had the second most INTs in Division III with seven.  After a four-year playing career at Bethel, Swanson served overseas before recently teaching at Patrick Henry and Centennial High School the last two years.
 
"Tavian will be an awesome addition to our full-time staff. He was a great player for us on our Elite 8 team in 2022. His path to Bethel was unique and will resonate with our players and recruits," notes McElroy. "He has had a huge impact on Bethel and Bethel has had an impact on the man he is. He will bring great energy and enthusiasm to our defense and special teams."
 
New additions to the coaching staff joining as volunteer assistants are Mathais Durie and Luke Buttenhoff.