Justin Sweeney, who has gained coaching experience at Mount Pleasant High School, Ferris State University and Central Michigan University, joined the Albion College
football coaching staff in March of 2017.
In addition to serving as the Britons recruiting coordinator, Sweeney oversees the special teams unit and coaches the defensive backs.
Under Sweeney's direction, the 2021 spring MIAA Championship squad had a number of athletes obtain All-Conference honors. The team finished first in the conference in punt average and punt return average. He coached John Wester, Ricky Pearson, Andy Durand and Hunter Williams to All-MIAA accolades, and two special teams players of the week.
In the fall of 2019, the Brits were ranked fourth in DIII in kickoff return yards (25.9) while Isaiah Gibson was ranked fourth in the NCAA in kickoff return average. The team led the MIAA in kickoff returns, blocked kicks and second in punt average. He also saw Tyrone Collins and Josh Castillo earn All-MIAA honors.
The Britons finished second in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association in pass defense and interceptions in 2017. Albion's unit led the MIAA with six defensive scores in 2017.
“Coach Sweeney has had a tremendous impact on our program since he got here,” Head Coach Dustin Beurer said. “He is extremely detail oriented and outworks everyone. He is a great teacher of technique and coaches with passion and enthusiasm. Coach Sweeney is also a relentless recruiter.”
Sweeney was the defensive quality control coach at Central Michigan for three seasons and was an intern at Ferris State for the 2013 season.
At Central Michigan, Sweeney was a member of the 2016 squad that advanced to the Miami Beach Bowl and 2015 squad that reached the Quick Lane Bowl with the defense that allowed 332 yards per game (finishing 16th in the Football Bowl Subdivision and leading the Mid-American Conference), 193 passing yards per game (best in the MAC) and 139 rushing yards per game (third-best in the MAC). The Chippewas advanced to the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl in 2014 with a defense that allowed 355 yards per game (finishing 29th in the FBS and leading the MAC in total defense).
He worked with the Ferris State unit that led the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in total defense (356 yards per game).
At Mount Pleasant for the 2011-13 seasons, Sweeney was a member of the staff as the Oilers achieved two conference and district championships, a regional championship and a state runner-up finish in Division 3.
