Mike Schmidt joined the University of Redlands as the Head Track & Field and Cross Country Coach in 2007. Since that time, he has achieved a level of success unprecedented in either program’s history, as highlighted by multiple conference championships, individual national championships, and various awards.  

Under Schmidt’s direction, the Bulldogs have captured four women’s team titles (2008, 2009, 2011, 2021) and a trio of men’s team championships (2011, 2012, 2021) in the highly-touted Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). Redlands student-athletes have also earned more than 99 individual SCIAC track & field championships, five SCIAC Track & Field Athlete of the Year awards, and one individual cross country title. Schmidt was also named the 2015 SCIAC Cross Country Coach of the Year and the 2021 SCIAC Track & Field Coach of the Year.

At the national level, Schmidt’s student-athletes have earned 35 All-America honors, as highlighted by four individual NCAA Championships, four NCAA runner-up finishes, and a three NCAA third-place showings. He has also led athletes to four West Region Athlete of the Year awards and eight NCAA cross country individual national appearances. Personally, Schmidt has been named the West Region Women’s Track & Field Coach of the Year (2008) and the West Region Men’s Track & Field Coach of the Year (2011).

In 2022 Schmidt coached the first men's or women's cross country All-American in Chloe Bullock who took 38th at the NCAA Championships. He had four new top-20 times added to the men's 8K and the women's 5K and 6K. On the men's side Enrique Verschoor ran a 24:49.7 at the Highlander Invite which made him the second fastest Bulldog all-time. Joining Verschoor is Ronan Byrne who ran the seventh-fastest time at 25:19.8 while at the NCAA West Regionals. Aforementioned Bullock ran a 18:16.9 5K time at the UC Riverside Invite, placing her fifth all-time. Then at the NCAA West Regionals, Bullock ran a 22:02.0, the sixth-fastest 6K time in program history. Bullock and Verschoor each were named All-SCIAC First Team.

During the 2021 season, Schmidt coached All-American and new men's school record holder Tucker Cargile who finished 36th at the NCAA Division III National Championships with a 24:20.2 record time. Also during the 2021 season, Rogelio Salcido ran the 18th fastest time in men's school history with a time of 25:58.0 at the Highlander Meet. On the women's side, the Bulldogs had three athletes run top-20 5K times with Isabella Glenn (3rd), Chloe Bullock (5th), Alexis Wallace (8th) all running record times at the UC Riverside Invitational. On the 6K side, three more Bulldogs set new top-20 times with: Isabella Glenn (2nd), Chloe Bullock (7th), Alexis Wallace (9th) all times coming at the Highlander Invitational.

Four Bulldogs were named to the All-SCIAC team in 2021, with Tucker Cargile named to the men's first team, Isabella Glenn to the women's first team, and Chloe Bullock, Alexis Wallace to the second team.

Prior to becoming a Bulldog, Schmidt worked at Oneonta State (NY), originally as the Associate Head Coach of Track & Field and Cross Country. After three successful years, he became the Head Track & Field Coach and continued to work as an assistant coach with the cross country programs. During his tenure with the Red Dragons, Schmidt coached 17 All-America performances among nine student-athletes to go along with three conference team championships, 49 individual titles, and 14 relay championships.

With a passion for learning, Schmidt stays up-to-date on the latest coaching practices in order to maintain this level of success.  He has spent time studying at the Olympic Training Center, the World Athletic Training Center (ALTIS), and holds a USATF Level III Certification in the Jumps, a USATF Level II Certification in the Combined Events, as well as being a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist.

Schmidt lives in Redlands with his wife Amanda. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting, golfing, and reading.