A two-time All-North Central Conference selection, Schmidt earned All-America honors as a senior in 2001.
During that time he coached multiple defensive positions before serving as the special teams coordinator for his final two years.
The second was in 2019, following three wins versus ranked opponents en route to a 7–4 campaign that included a 6–0 mark at home.
Schmidt was at Fresno State for two seasons serving as defensive line coach and special teams coordinator.
Schmidt spent one season at San Diego State where he was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.