Sam Schmitz named Simpson head strength and conditioning coach

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- Simpson College Director of Athletics Marty Bell has announced the hiring of Sam Schmitz as head strength and conditioning coach. Schmitz officially begins his role Aug. 2.

"We are pleased to have Sam join our staff," Bell said. "His experience and expertise will be a great benefit to our student-athletes and coaches. I believe our strength and conditioning program will be a key factor in the long-term success of Simpson Athletics."

Schmitz comes to Simpson from NCAA Division I Austin Peay State University. In one season with the Governors, he worked with the Governors football, women's soccer and men's and women's tennis programs. The women's tennis program saw success by winning its second-straight Ohio Valley Conference Championship.

"I would like to thank Marty Bell and the rest of the search committee for selecting me for this position," Schmitz said. "I am very excited and honored to come back home to Iowa and start building a championship mindset and culture at Simpson College."

The Missouri Valley, Iowa native worked for the University of Iowa football team as an intern prior to working at Austin Peay. Schmitz also served as a graduate assistant at the University of Northern Iowa from 2017-18, working with the football, volleyball and women's swimming and diving teams. The Panthers football and volleyball programs reached postseason play after training with Schmitz. The football team advanced to the second round of the FCS Playoffs and the volleyball squad earned a first-round win in the NCAA Division I Tournament.

Schmitz earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Central College in 2017 and his master's degree in kinesiology from Northern Iowa in 2018. He holds professional certifications from USA Weightlifting (USAW Level 1) and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (SCCC).

As an undergraduate, Schmitz was a three-year letterwinner for the Dutch football team as a safety and served as an undergraduate intern in the strength and conditioning office from 2013-17. He was named to the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society in 2016.