Swinton, one of the youngest assistant coaches in the NFL, joined the Rams from the University of Tennessee, where he served as a defensive graduate assistant from 2007-08. In 2008, Swinton worked with a defensive unit that ranked third in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing 263.5 yards per game. The Volunteers ranked fourth in pass defense (160.4 yards per game), 10th in scoring defense (16.8 points per game) and 12th in rushing defense (103.1 yards per game).

Before coming to Tennessee, Swinton was a free safety at Hampton University in Virginia from 2003-06. Swinton finished his career with 103 tackles, 19 passes defensed and eight interceptions. In his final season at Hampton, Swinton tallied 53 tackles, four passes defensed and four interceptions, including one that he returned 55 yards for a touchdown in a game vs. Norfolk State.