Brent Schmidt
Houston Baptist Baseball
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Education: Winona State University; University of Houston
Twitter:Â @brentschmidt15
Email: bschmidt [at] hbu.edu
Official bio
The moment you first realized that you might like to make coaching part of your career?
In high school – witnessing my coaches work ethic and the huge amount of positive influence they had on so many people beyond just the classroom or field. Having that kind of effect on student/athletes sold me immediately. I strive to always work like the “old school” grinders, but with an openness to new ideas and methods to connect with and build relationships with a new generation.
Outside of mentors, talk about one way you’ve learned some aspect of coaching.
Through a wide range of experiences – camps, clinics, lessons, summer ball, working at many different levels and working with varying degrees of ages and abilities. Assuming different roles outside the comfort zone to push my own abilities to reach student/athletes. Never being too “big time” for any chance to work and get better, by listening to new ideas, and lifting up colleagues and younger coaches in the profession.
Your dream lunch date. One coach. Any sport. Any level. Living or dead. Who is it?
Joe Maddon. I’m always fascinated with someone who isn’t afraid to challenge traditional methods with forward thinking to push people to new heights beyond expectations. One of my favorite recent quotes is, “You can’t bring a 1990’s skillset to a 2018 industry”. Fundamentals of the game will never change; but how it’s taught, evaluated, recruited and performed will always adapt and progress. I believe you have to be a lifelong learner growing, evolving, developing, and improving yourself to better suit the needs of student/athletes – regardless of your experience.
If you could go back to your rookie coach self and give one piece of advice, what would it be?
Focus on where your feet are – It’s easy to look ahead and forget where you are right now. Be in the moment – don’t worry about the “next job” and “getting ahead” and just work your tail off for the guys in front of you today, because they deserve everything you have, and don’t hold anything back.
Name one new thing you want to accomplish this year?
To further utilize the analytics of the game to better serve our program and our players, through professional development via social media, video, clinics, conferences, podcasts and personal interaction with colleagues in the profession.
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