Mike Schmidt Named Head Coach of Northern State Football

ABERDEEN, S.D. (NSUWolves.com) – Northern State University has announced Mike Schmidt as the next head coach for Northern State football this afternoon. Schmidt is the 30th head coach in program history and only the seventh coach since 1980.

Schmidt joins the Wolves after spending the last four seasons as head coach at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL), where he posted a 27-13 record overall. Schmidt’s .675 winning percentage ranks third in school history. UWL won 15 league games over the past three seasons, matching the most league victories in a three-year span since 2004-06.

A total of 47 All-WIAC selections were earned in Schmidt’s four seasons at UWL, including nine first team honors. Thirteen players were named to the 2019 All-WIAC Team, including four first team selections.

The Eagles placed third in the conference standings in 2019, including a 31-3 victory over eventual co-champion UW-Oshkosh. UWL was ranked 25th in the final regular-season D3football.com Top-25 Poll while receiving votes in the final American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top-25 Poll.

A native of Menomonie, Wisconsin, Schmidt served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at UW-Platteville in 2015. Prior to arriving at UW-Platteville, Schmidt was the defensive coordinator and coached the linebackers and defensive backs at the University of Dubuque (Iowa) from 2011-14. He also served as the recruiting coordinator from 2009-14. Named the 2013 AFCA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year, Schmidt coached running backs (2009-10), defensive backs (2009) and offensive line (2010) at Dubuque (Iowa). He served as a graduate assistant coach at Minnesota State University Mankato in 2008, coaching the defensive line.

Schmidt and his wife, Morgan, have three children. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Missional Christianity degree at Dubuque (Iowa) Theological Seminary.

(PHOTO: NSU Sports Information)