University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Bill Chaves announced on Sunday evening that Eric Schmidt has been named the 28th head coach of the North Dakota football program, pending a background check. Schmidt was the head Crookston Pirate Football and Girls basketball coach from 2002 to 2005.
“I am excited to welcome back Coach Schmidt to North Dakota as our newest football coach,” said Chaves. “Eric brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of success and a deep commitment to developing student-athletes on-and-off the field. I am confident that under his leadership, our football program will continue to build on the foundation that has been laid and compete for championships on both the conference and national stage.”
Schmidt returns to North Dakota after spending last season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at San Diego State. In his one season with the Aztecs, Schmidt coached four players to All-Mountain West honors, including sophomore Trey White earning a first team selection after finishing near the top of the FBS in sacks per game and tackles per game.
Prior to his time at SDSU, Schmidt spent two seasons at the University of Washington as its special teams coordinator and coach of the EDGE position on defense, where he helped the Huskies reach new heights as a program. In 2023, Schmidt helped take the Huskies to the College Football Playoff title game as the No. 2 seed following a perfect 12-0 regular season and a PAC-12 Championship victory over Oregon. Statistically, they led the Pac-12 in interceptions (5), punt return defense (1.83), ranked third in team passing efficiency defense (122.64) and fifth in turnovers gained (18).
In his first year with the Huskies, Schmidt oversaw a defensive unit that led the Huskies to an 11-2 overall record. Washington’s rushing defense, which had been ranked 11th in the Pac-12 and 108th in the FBS just one year earlier, to third in the conference and 25th in the nation in 2022. Two of Schmidt’s edge rushers also helped UW finish 20th in the FBS in sacks and were named to the All-Pac-12 First Team.
Schmidt leapt to the FBS ranks in 2020, where he spent two seasons at Fresno State, serving as defensive line coach and special teams coordinator. The Bulldogs ranked among the top-25 nationally in multiple defensive categories, including rushing defense, passing defense, third down defense, yards per play, tackles for loss, takeaways and scoring defense in both years that Schmidt was there.
This marks Schmidt’s third stint as a coach with North Dakota, as he most recently served as the defensive coordinator for the Fighting Hawks from 2014-19. He helped UND reach the FCS playoffs twice during his tenure, including the program’s first appearance in 2016. The Hawks perennially ranked near the top of the nation in multiple defensive categories, including twice in the top-10 for rush defense.
While at NoDak, Schmidt coached 17 all-conference players and four All-Americans, along with two conference players of the year.
He also spent six seasons at Southern Illinois from 2008-13, where he coached multiple defensive positions before serving as the special teams coordinator for his final two years.
Schmidt’s first collegiate job was as linebackers coach at North Dakota in 2006-07. He began his football coaching career at Crookston (Minn.) High School, where he was the head coach from 2002-2005.
The Mandan, N.D., native was a key performer as a team captain and senior linebacker on the North Dakota defense that won the NCAA Division II national title in 2001. Schmidt played for UND from 1998 to 2001, was a two-time All-North Central Conference selection and earned All-America as a senior in 2001.
Schmidt received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from UND in 2002. He and his wife, Tiffany, have a daughter, Kennedy, and two sons, Harrison and Truman.
Schmidt and Chaves will meet the media on Wednesday, December 11 from Hyslop at Memorial Village.
THE ERIC SCHMIDT FILE
Position: Head Coach
Hometown: Mandan, N.D.
Education: North Dakota (2002)
Family: Eric and his wife Tiffany have a daughter, Kennedy, and two sons, Harrison and Truman.
CAREER IN FOOTBALL
AS A COACH
2024: San Diego State (defensive coordinator, linebackers)
2022-23: Washington (special teams coordinator, defensive ends)
2020-21: Fresno State (special teams coordinator, defensive line)
2019: North Dakota (defensive coordinator, defensive line)
2018: North Dakota (defensive coordinator, outside linebackers)
2014-17: North Dakota (defensive coordinator, inside linebackers)
2012-13: Southern Illinois (special teams coordinator, inside linebackers)
2010-11: Southern Illinois (defensive line)
2008-09: Southern Illinois (outside linebackers)
2006-07: North Dakota (linebackers)
2002-05: Crookston (Minn.) High School (head coach)
AS A PLAYER
1998-2001: North Dakota
