Fisher hires renowned strength coach Jerry Schmidt to the A&M staff

Jerry Schmidt, who has served 18 years as Oklahoma’s director of sports performance, has been hired as Texas A&M’s head strength & conditioning coach. Schmidt’s addition is the latest move A&M head football coach Jimbo Fisher has made to assemble a staff with championship experience. He’ll be A&M’s third strength & conditioning coach in three years.

Known for disciplined, intense and innovative workouts, Schmidt’s motto is: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

A native of Harvard, Neb. and graduate of the University of Nebraska, Schmidt has been on three national championship teams in his illustrious career during which he was named Strength Coach of the Year by USA Fitness in 1991. He was on staff for championship seasons at Notre Dame (1988), Florida (1996) and Oklahoma (2000).

He’s also worked with more than 20 NFL first round draft choices and six Heisman Trophy recipients — Notre Dame’s Tim Brown, Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders, Florida’s Danny Wuerffel and Oklahoma’s Jason White, Sam Bradford and Baker Mayfield.

Schmidt, 55, started his career in 1987 as an assistant at Notre Dame. He briefly left for Oklahoma State and returned to Notre Dame as strength & conditioning coordinator in 1989.

He joined Steve Spurrier’s staff at Florida in 1995. There, he worked with then-Florida defensive coordinator Bob Stoops. When Stoops was named head coach at Oklahoma in 1999 he brought Schmidt along as his strength & conditioning coach.

Stoops once said of Schmidt: “Jerry instills in our program a conditioning level that allows us to flourish late in games and late in the season. He also helps us build an attitude of toughness and perseverance that is an absolute must in a demanding sport like football.”

A&M desperately needs someone who can help the Aggies flourish late in the season. Since 2013 A&M is 4-11 against Southeastern Conference opponents in November. The addition of Schmidt gives A&M four coaches that have national championship rings.

Fisher led Florida State to the 2013 national title and was the offensive coordinator on LSU’s 2003 national championship team. Running Backs Coach Jay Graham and Tight Ends Coach Tim Brewster both were on Fisher’s staff at Florida State in ’13.

Also, Receivers coach Dameyune Craig coached against Fisher in the 2013 national championship game while at Auburn.