Joe Schmidt

Coaching Record

Years Coached Record Win % Playoff record Playoff win %
7 47-43-8 52.04% 0-1 0.00%

Coaching Tree

Parents:

Harry Gilmer

Children:

Leeman Bennett, Chuck Knox, John North


Biography

Career Summary

Joe Schmidt was a football coach in the National Football League (NFL) from 1966 to 1972, finishing his career as the head coach of the Detroit Lions. Over his seven years of coaching his teams compiled a cumulative win/loss record of 47-43-8. He was the head coach of the Detroit Lions from 1967 until the 1972 season, during which time the Lions went 43-34-7. During his career he was a head coach for six seasons.

Schmidt was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 after his playing career.

Career Awards

As the head coach of the Detroit Lions he coached three players to award-winning seasons: Lem Barney, AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1967; Mel Farr, AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1967; Earl McCullouch, AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1968.

Joe Schmidt Coaching Tree

Before he was a head coach, Schmidt served as an assistant coach for Harry Gilmer. He spent one years as an assistant coach to Harry Gilmer, finishing as the linebackers coach/assistant coach in 1966. During his time as head coach, three assistant coaches, (Chuck Knox, John North, and Leeman Bennett) on his coaching staff were hired as head coaches across the league. His coaching tree has combined for a record of 248-246-1 in the regular season and 8-14 in the playoffs during their thirty-three seasons as head coach after serving on his coaching staffs.


History

Year Position Record Playoff record
1972 Detroit Lions Head Coach 8-5-1 0-0
1971 Detroit Lions Head Coach 7-6-1 0-0
1970 Detroit Lions Head Coach 10-4-0 0-1
1969 Detroit Lions Head Coach 9-4-1 0-0
1968 Detroit Lions Head Coach 4-8-2 0-0
1967 Detroit Lions Head Coach 5-7-2 0-0
1966 Detroit Lions Linebackers Coach / Assistant Coach 4-9-1 0-0

Coach history guide

Seasons with a championship win Seasons with a conference championship

Coach facts

  • Years as head coach: 6
  • Fifth in total wins for the Detroit Lions.
  • Fourth in winning percentage for the Detroit Lions.
  • Past teams coached for: Detroit Lions