Ken Schmidt, the former BYU football defensive coordinator, has died.
Schmidt died on July 29, 2024. He was eighty-two years old.
Another BYU legend has passed.
Ken Schmidt was a defensive mastermind. He recruited me, coached me, chewed me and most recently hugged me the last we spoke.
Ken could tear you to shreds then make you feel like a world hero with a glance. I respected him.
He’ll be missed. Badly. pic.twitter.com/rR1LdudfS9— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) July 30, 2024
In his death notice, Schmidt wrote: “As he enters a fuller and more joyful existence, he will be remembered and loved here on earth by many family and friends, including five children, 18 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.”
Schmidt served as an assistant coach with the BYU football team for 21 years. In 1982, the Murray, Utah native joined LaVell Edwards’ team as linebackers coach.
Ken Schmidt coached at BYU from 1982-2002
Schmidt became BYU’s defensive coordinator during the 1990 season, after former coordinator Dick Felt underwent open-heart surgery. During that string of games to start the 1990 season, Schmidt oversaw BYU’s defense in a historic victory over No. 1 Miami.
BYU’s defense limited the high-powered Hurricanes to 395 yards of offense, allowing the team to pull off the 28-21 upset. A win that is still considered the greatest in program history.
Schmidt was then moved to full-time defensive coordinator for the 1991 season. He served as BYU’s defensive coordinator for 12 seasons.
Schmidt stepped down from coaching following the 2002 season under then-head coach Gary Crowton.
During Schmidt’s tenure on the BYU coaching staff, the Cougars had 17 bowl appearances. He coached 14 NFL players during his time at BYU.
Schmidt coached BYU’s 1996 defense, which made the program’s only New Year’s Day bowl participation (the Cotton Bowl) and finished 14-1 with a No. 5 ranking.
Former head coach at Ricks College and Skyline High School
Schmidt previously served as the head coach at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, from 1980 to 1981, as well as Skyline High School in Salt Lake City from 1968 to 1979. Schmidt began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Granger High School in West Valley City.
Schmidt spent 45 years coaching.
Schmidt played at the University of Utah before becoming a coach. He was Utah’s starting center.
Schmidt, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, married his wife, Yvonne Youngberg, in 1964. They were later sealed at the Salt Lake City temple.
Schmidt’s obituary states that he is survived by his wife, Yvonne; his sons Ryan (MaryLyn) Schmidt and Craig (Kaisa) Schmidt; his daughter Shauna (Joe) Evans; his son Jason Schmidt; and his son Chad Schmidt.