PULLMAN, Wash. (January 12, 2023) – Washington State Football Head Coach Jake Dickert has named Spokane native Jeff Schmedding as the Cougars' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, it was announced Thursday.
 
"I am excited to announce Jeff Schmedding as our defensive coordinator and linebackers coach," said Dickert. "Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team, and truly understands our region of the country. Jeff will put his stamp on our defense and I can't wait to work alongside him in continuing the foundation of defensive football we have built here at WSU. I am excited to welcome Jeff and his family back to the Palouse. Go Cougs!"
 
Schmedding returns to the Pacific Northwest having spent the past two seasons at Auburn, most recently serving as defensive coordinator. In 2022, Schmedding oversaw the development of All-SEC First Team edge rusher Derick Hall, who totaled 60 tackles, 12 TFL's and seven sacks, while also being awarded the national Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award from the Premier Players Foundation of Tampa.
 
In his first season at Auburn (2021), Schmedding served as the Tigers' assistant head coach, linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator. That season saw Auburn rank 29th in rushing defense and 17th in tackles-for-loss.
 
Schmedding spent the previous two seasons at Boise State as the defensive coordinator for the Broncos. After coaching Boise State's outside linebackers in 2019, he took over inside linebackers for the 2020 campaign. Schmedding's first season leading the defense saw the Broncos claim the Mountain West championship with a 12-2 record and 8-0 mark in conference play. The Boise defense put together an impressive year, finishing in the top 15 nationally in team sacks (37) and in the top 25 nationally in scoring defense (20.6 ppg).

In 2019, Junior STUD end Curtis Weaver was named the 2019 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year while leading the conference and finishing fifth nationally in sacks (13.5).  His 34-career sacks are a Mountain West record as well. Weaver was selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Junior defensive back Kekaula Kaniho was also named to the All-Mountain West First Team. Additionally, the Broncos had five other defensive players named to the 2019 Mountain West Second Team.
 
Prior to arriving in Boise, Schmedding spent 15 seasons (2004-18) at Eastern Washington helping to lead the Eagles to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Championship in 2010. EWU also made the national title game in 2018 – one of 10 total FCS Playoff appearances during Schmedding's time with the program. In 2018, the Eagles' defense was first in the FCS in defensive touchdowns scored and second in forced turnovers.
 
Schmedding served as EWU's defensive coordinator from 2015-18, while also coaching safeties and rovers. He spent seven seasons (2008-14) as the Eagles' special teams coordinator, coaching linebackers (2008-09), safeties and nickels (2010-14). He coached safeties in 2007 and previously worked with linebackers (2004), the secondary (2005) and safeties (2006) as a graduate assistant from 2004-06 in his first three seasons at EWU.


Schmedding earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and coaching from Eastern Washington in 2002. A native of Spokane, Wash., he graduated from University High School where he was a standout wrestler and football player – he was the runner-up at the State 3A Wrestling Championships in the 215-pound division. Schmedding and his wife, Kristine, have two sons, Jack and Blake.