He played college football at the University of Notre Dame, where he was a consensus All-American in 1967.

Schoen played quarterback at St. Joseph High School in Cleveland, Ohio and led the team to a 9–0–1 record his senior year, earning All-Ohio honors.

[1][2] Schoen joined Notre Dame as a quarterback before being converted to safety his junior and senior seasons.

[1][3][4] Schoen was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the eighth round, with the 212th pick, of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft.

[1] While in the military as quarterback, Schoen led the 7th Infantry Division football team to an undefeated 8th Army championship.