Legendary UCLA Coach Sigi Schmid Passes Away
December 26, 2018 | Men's Soccer
Legendary UCLA men's soccer coach Sigi Schmid, who is the winningest coach in both UCLA and Major League Soccer history, passed away on Dec. 25 due to a personal health matter at the age of 65. He was admitted to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on Dec. 10.
A member of the UCLA and U.S. Soccer National Halls of Fame, Schmid recorded a 322-63-33 record in a storied 19-year tenure in Westwood. In that time, he led the Bruins to NCAA titles in 1985, 1990, and 1997 while earning national Coach of the Year honors in 1984 and 1997. His .810 winning percentage is the sixth-best in NCAA Division I history.
Before taking over the reins as head coach, Schmid was a four-year starter for the Bruins from 1972-75. The midfielder was selected All-Far West as a senior in 1975. He played in two NCAA title games and three NCAA Semifinals in his playing career.
Schmid graduated from UCLA in 1976 with a B.S. in economics. He was an assistant coach with the Bruins in 1977 and 1979 prior to assuming head coaching duties in 1980.
Schmid produced six UCLA Hall of Famers during his coaching career. Many of these players went on to have successful professional and international careers, including Cobi Jones, Brad Friedel, Paul Caligiuri, Carlos Bocanegra, Joe Max-Moore, and Chris Henderson.
Schmid accepted a position as the head coach of the MLS's Los Angeles Galaxy in 1999, beginning a long and successful stint in the top flight of professional American soccer. He became the winningest coach in MLS history with 266 wins across regular and post-season play and was twice named the MLS Coach of the Year (1999, 2008). Over his career, he won a pair of MLS Cups (2002, 2008), a record five U.S. Open Cups (2001, 2009-11, 2014), and three MLS Supporters' Shields (2002, 2008, 2014).
Throughout his professional coaching career, Schmid spent time with the Galaxy (1999-2004), Columbus Crew SC (2006-2008) and Seattle Sounders FC (2009-2016). Over his time in the MLS, Schmid compiled a 240-183-125 record during the MLS regular season. Additionally, he reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in 13 seasons, while recording 28 MLS Cup Playoff wins, the second-most in MLS history. Schmid is one of two coaches in MLS history to guide two different teams to MLS Cup titles and he is one of three to coach in four total MLS Cup Finals.
Internationally, he twice served as the U.S. U-20 National Team head coach, most recently in 2005 at the FIFA World Championships. Schmid also served as an assistant to Bora Milutinovic on the USMNT 1994 FIFA World Cup team in addition to serving as head coach for the 1991 World University Games and 1995 Pan American Games.
Schmid is survived by his wife Valerie and four children: Erik, Lacey, Kurt, and Kyle.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family asks to please consider a tax-deductible memorial gift to support the men's soccer program at UCLA. Donations may be directed to UCLA Athletics, Attn: Emily Lerner; UCLA Athletics, P.O. Box 24044, Los Angeles CA, 90024. Emily may also be reached via phone (310-206-3302), fax (310-206-2783), or email (elerner@athletics.ucla.edu). Donations can be submitted online here. Please note that your gift is in memory of Sigi Schmid. Checks can be made payable to the UCLA Foundation.