BYU COUGARS

Ken Schmidt, Former BYU Defensive Coordinator, Dies At 82

Jul 30, 2024, 10:34 AM | Updated: 10:46 am

BYU Football, Ken Schmidt, Dies...

Former BYU football defensive coordinator Ken Schmidt passed away at the age of 82 on July 29. (Courtesy of BYU Photo)

(Courtesy of BYU Photo)

SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU football defensive coordinator Ken Schmidt has died.

Schmidt passed away on July 29, 2024. He was 82 years old.

Schmidt’s obituary read, “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 was an assistant coach in the BYU football program for 21 years. The Murray, Utah native joined LaVell Edwards’ staff in 1982 as a linebackers coach.

Ken Schmidt coached at BYU from 1982-2002

Schmidt emerged as BYU’s defensive coordinator during the 1990 season when former coordinator Dick Felt went through open-heart surgery. During that stretch of games to open the 1990 season, one of Schmidt’s games where he called BYU’s defense was the historic win over No. 1 Miami.

BYU’s defense held the high-powered Hurricanes to only 395 yards of offense as BYU went on to pull off the 28-21 upset. A win that remains arguably the greatest victory in program history.

Schmidt was then promoted to defensive coordinator full-time during the 1991 season. He held the title of defensive coordinator on BYU’s staff for 12 seasons.

Schmidt retired from coaching after the 2002 season under then-head coach Gary Crowton.

During Schmidt’s time on BYU’s coaching staff, the Cougars reached 17 bowl games. He coached 14 NFL players during his career at BYU.

Schmidt coached BYU’s 1996 defense that reached the program’s lone New Year’s Day bowl game appearance (Cotton Bowl) and finished with a 14-1 record and No. 5 ranking.

Former head coach at Ricks College and Skyline High School

Before coaching at BYU, Schmidt was a head coach at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, from 1980-1981 and at Skyline High School in Salt Lake City from 1968-1979. Schmidt’s coaching career began as an assistant coach at Granger High School in West Valley City.

Schmidt totaled 45 years in coaching.

Before becoming a coach, Schmidt was a player at the University of Utah. He was a starting center for the Utes.

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Schmidt married his wife Yvonne Youngberg in 1964. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake City temple.

According to Schmidt’s obituary, Schmidt 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 (Kendra) Schmidt.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio and video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

  • BYU Cougars Scoreboard

  • BYU Cougars Team Leaders

  • BYU Cougars Standings

BYU Cougars

BYU Football, Kalani Sitake, Contract Extension...

Mitch Harper

BYU Football Signs Kalani Sitake To ‘Long-Term’ Extension

BYU locks up Kalani Sitake to a long-term contract extension.

4 hours ago

BYU Football, First Team, All-Big 12, Caleb Etienne...

Mitch Harper

Three BYU Football Players Receive First Team All-Big 12 Honors

BYU has First-Team All-Conference players for the first time in 14 years.

3 days ago

BYU Football, Signing Day, What We Learned...

Mitch Harper

Five Things We Learned From BYU’s Early Signing Day

Busy, productive day for BYU football to kick off the Early Signing Period.

3 days ago

AJ Dybantsa, Top Four, BYU Basketball, Utah Prep...

Mitch Harper

BYU Makes Top Four Cut For No. 1 Recruit AJ Dybantsa

AJ Dybantsa has BYU in his final four schools.

3 days ago

Jake Retzlaff...

Brian Preece

BYU QB Jake Retzlaff Lands Faith-Based NIL Deal

In a nod to his religious upbringing, Retzlaff signed a sponsorship deal with Jewish food brand Manischewitz as part of an NIL agreement.

3 days ago

BYU Football, Luke McGary, Transfer Portal Offer...

Mitch Harper

BYU Football Offers Transfer Portal TE From Tulsa

BYU football gets in the mix for a transfer portal tight end.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week – Week 15

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our co-winners this week were Esun Tafa and Cooper Kingston from […]

...

Utah County High School Player of the Week – Week 15

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep football players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the gridiron and exceptional play. Our co-winners this week were Aaron Dunn from Spanish Fork High School and […]

Rice-Eccles Stadium...

Crimson Cliffs Completes Epic Comeback To Win 4A State Championship

Crimson Cliffs needed the largest comeback in Utah state history to knock off the Spanish Fork Dons 57-55 in triple overtime.

corner canyon football celebrates win over lehi...

Corner Canyon Comes From Behind To Win 6A State Championship

The Corner Canyon Chargers fell behind early but didn't panic, scoring 23 straight points to beat Lone Peak 30-27.

Siaki Fekitoa...

Siaki Fekitoa’s Four TDs Lead Bountiful To 5A State Championship

Title Thursday started on a high note with a fireworks-filled offensive show as Bountiful held on to beat Roy 42-35.

...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 14

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our co-winners of the week were Beck Sheffield from Morgan High School […]

Ken Schmidt, Former BYU Defensive Coordinator, Dies At 82