New coach Eric Schmidt says his FBS blueprint can work at UND

Dec. 11—GRAND FORKS — Eric Schmidt’s path in college football came full circle Wednesday, speaking where it all started — at the site of old Memorial Stadium around the likes of Dale Lennon and Bubba Schweigert.

As a player, Schmidt captained UND to a 2001 NCAA Division II national championship.

As an assistant coach, Schmidt helped UND win the 2016 Big Sky Conference title and find its path as a Division I newcomer.

On Wednesday, Schmidt was officially introduced as UND head coach, tasked with elevating the program to the elite powers of the FCS landscape.

UND athletic director Bill Chaves and UND President Andrew Armacost introducted Schmidt in the theater room of the newly constructed Hyslop at Memorial Village, which sits on the land that was previously Memorial Stadium.

“Such an important announcement as we talk about the future of the UND football program,” Armacost said. “(Schmidt) will lead as a winner and a developer of these young men as human beings off and on the field. That’s what we’re about: Winning and winning the right way, and we know you’ll do that in many, many ways.

“Football in the Dakotas is the best in the FCS. I know for a fact Eric is going to usher in an era of University of North Dakota football that builds on the tradition of excellence and brings us not only to a Missouri Valley Football Conference championship but also to compete in and win a national championship for the University of North Dakota.”

After leaving UND as defensive coordinator in 2019, Schmidt made coaching stops at Fresno State, Washington and San Diego State. He returns to Grand Forks equipped with the knowledge and experiences that come with coaching at college football’s highest level.

“I left in 2019 because I knew I needed to grow and learn and add more tools to the toolbelt,” Schmidt said. “This place has always…

Source link : https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/coach-eric-schmidt-says-fbs-013200991.html

Author : Grand Forks Herald

Publish date : 2024-12-12 01:32:00

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