Player Bio: Eric Schmidt - SOUTHERN ILLINOIS OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Eric Schmidt

	Position: Outside Linebackers/Defensive Line
	Experience: Fourth Year
	Alma Mater: North Dakota, 2002

Last updated on June 2, 2011

Eric Schmidt is entering his fourth season as SIU's outside linebackers and defensive line coach. He has coached seven All-Conference players in his first three years with the Salukis.

In 2010, defensive end Chance Coda was a second team All-MVFC selection after posting 8.0 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. Coda was also a first team ESPN Academic All-American. Outside linebacker Jayson DiManche was named to the All-MVFC honorable mention team after leading the team in sacks and he was named the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week following his three-sack performance in a win over No. 20 Western Illinois.

Schmidt, who in his playing days had a knack for getting to the quarterback, has relayed that knowledge to the players he now coaches.

In 2009, outside linebacker Kyle Walker finished third in the MVFC with nine sacks, helping SIU lead the conference in total sacks. Another outside linebacker, Chauncey Mixon, capped off his career with 41.5 tackles for a loss and 16.0 sacks, which are tied for the seventh most in school history.

Mixon was a two-time All-MVFC player under Schmidt and the coach also led James Cloud to a second team All-MVFC nod in 2008.

On the defensive front, Schmidt guided nose guard Chris Arthurs to first team All-MVFC honors in 2009 and honorable mention accolades the year before. Defensive end Kyle Russo was named to the MVFC All-Newcomer team after recording six sacks in 2009.

A former standout linebacker under Dale Lennon at the University of North Dakota, Schmidt coached with Lennon at his alma mater for two seasons (2006-07) before coming to SIU.

Prior to UND, he spent four years as head football coach at Crookston (Minn.) High School. He led the Pirates to a Section 8AAA runner-up finish in 2004, and one year earlier, led the team to the Minnesota state semifinals. Schmidt was named the 2003 Section 8AAA Coach of the Year. He also coached girls basketball at Crookston and guided the team to a State AA runner-up finish in 2006.

A native of Mandan, N.D., Schmidt played for the Fighting Sioux from 1998-01 and was a captain of UND's 2001 national championship team. A two-time All-North Central Conference selection, Schmidt earned All-America honors as a senior in 2001. His 10.0 sacks as a senior set a new school record.

Schmidt received his bachelor's degree in secondary education from North Dakota in 2002. He and his wife, Tiffany, have a one year-old daughter, Kennedy.