Former BYU defensive coordinator Ken Schmidt, who served under LaVell Edwards for 18 years, has passed away at age 82.

“Ken Schmidt had a long and exceptional career coaching football at BYU,” said Tom Holmoe, BYU director of athletics, “and made a strong and positive impact in the lives of hundreds of Cougar players. He will long be remembered as one of the key coaches who helped orchestrate a phenomenal run of conference championships.”

Schmidt joined the BYU coaching staff in 1982, following a successful stint as head football coach at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) in Rexburg, Idaho. In two seasons at Ricks, Schmidt led the Vikings to a 17-3 record and two conference championships. In 1981, he guided Ricks to a 28-21 victory over Arizona Western in the Valley of the Sun Bowl.

Prior to coaching at the collegiate level, Schmidt was the head football coach at Skyline High (Salt Lake City) from 1968-79, where he posted a 105-24-1 record and won five state championships. He was an assistant coach at Granger High (Salt Lake City) from 1964-68.

Before being named defensive coordinator under LaVell Edwards in 1991, Schmidt was the BYU linebacker coach for nine seasons. He also served as assistant head coach during the 2000 campaign. During his 22 years at BYU, Schmidt was the position coach for eight NFL players and helped the Cougars to 16 bowl games.

Schmidt was raised in Murray, Utah, and played center and linebacker at the University of Utah from 1961-63. He holds two physical education degrees from Utah, earning a bachelors degree in 1964 and a masters degree in 1969. He is married to Yvonne Youngberg Schmidt. They have four sons, one daughter, 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.