Cole Schmit Joins UCLA Women’s Soccer Coaching Staff
January 16, 2026 | Women's Soccer
Schmit was an assistant coach at Washington from 2022-25 and helped guide the Huskies to a 34-15-16 overall and 23-15-6 conference record during his four seasons. The Huskies recorded double-digit wins in each of the last two seasons. In 2025, Washington won the 2025 Big Ten regular season and conference tournament titles, becoming the first team in the Big Ten to win both championships outright since 2013. Washington finished the 2025 season with a 15-3-7 overall record, including a 8-1-2 mark in league play, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for the third time in program history. Following the season, the UW staff was recognized as the United Soccer Coaches North Region Staff of the Year. Schmit worked with Washington's defensive unit, including 2025 Big Ten Defender of the Year and All-American Kolo Suliafu, and the Huskies posted a school-record 12 shutouts in 2025. In 2024, Washington advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Round of 32 and to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, recording a then-school record 11 shutouts and ranking eighth in the nation with a 0.560 goals against average.
"Cole is a championship-level coach who has consistently delivered at the highest level of the game, playing a key role in Washington's historic 2025 season," said Boyoko. "Beyond the results, Cole brings a modern tactical mind, an elite recruiting and player-development portfolio, and an exceptional ability to prepare teams to compete against the very best. His attention to detail, clarity in teaching, and commitment to daily standards align perfectly with the culture and game model we're building at UCLA. We are thrilled to welcome Cole to Westwood."
Prior to joining the Huskies, Schmit coached the San Diego State women for five seasons, helping the Aztecs win a pair of Mountain West titles and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament in 2017. Schmit coached 14 all-conference players and four United Soccer Coaches All-Region honorees. From 2015-16, he was an assistant coach for the women's team at Westmont College and helped lead the Warriors to a 32-8-4 two-year record, winning a pair of league titles and advancing to the NAIA Tournament each year. Schmit began his coaching career in 2014 as a volunteer coach for the Pacific men's team.
An Upland, Calif. native, Schmit played collegiately at Cal Baptist, leading the Lancers to NCCAA Division I national championships in 2011 and 2012. He totaled 10 goals and nine assists in 83 career games and 59 career starts and was a first-team All-American midfielder in 2012. Schmit, a three-time Pac-West academic honoree and NCCCAA Scholar-Athlete, graduated cum laude with a degree in marketing in 2014.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to join UCLA Women's Soccer and to work alongside Gof, who I've known for over a decade and deeply respect as a coach and leader," Schmit said. "I'm excited to support his vision, dive in alongside the team, and help elevate the margins of the program while protecting its identity and championship culture."
