After a National search, Gordon College Director of Athletics
Jason Linders has named
Derek Schmitt as our next Head Volleyball Coach.
"I would like to thank the
President, Dr. Hammond,
Dr. Welty Peachey, and
Director of Athletics Jason Linders for offering me the position of Head Women's Volleyball Coach, said Schmitt. "Most of my professional coaching career has been at colleges of Christian Higher Education. To have the opportunity to continue my career at a school like Gordon that is committed to equipping their students, faculty, and staff to grow spiritually, intellectually, socially, and for the student-athletes, athletically, is truly exciting. My goal will be for the women's volleyball student-athletes to have the best experience possible at Gordon in all these ways, which of course includes winning volleyball matches. I was coaching against Gordon during the early 2000's when Gordon had their amazing run of three consecutive NCAA appearances, led by Gordon's career wins leader Valerie Gin and Hall-of-Famer players Lauren Barnes and Sara Britt Johnson, whose names are all over the Gordon Women's Volleyball Record Book. The standard of excellence they established is a huge challenge for the program to attain, especially in the competitive Conference of New England, but the coaches and players will strive for that same type of excellence every time they are on the volleyball court, in the weight room, watching video, and more, all while proudly representing Gordon College."
Schmitt comes to Gordon College with an extensive resume, including 20 years of men's and women's volleyball coaching experience at the NCAA Division III, I, and club levels. Most recently, Schmitt was the head coach at Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) where he boasted a 118-53 overall record, had four consecutive championships (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023), advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of those seasons, and was awarded the coach of the year honors three times by the conference.
Returning to ENC for his second stint leading the volleyball program, Schmitt inherited a 6-17 team and steadily improved his roster, securing 11 wins in his first season before a 20-win season in 2018 which ended in a loss in the league championship in just his second season at the helm. The following season, Schmitt guided the Lions to its first ever conference championship and tournament appearance. Also during the 2019 historic season, Schmitt collected his 200th career win as a head coach and was named the conference Coach of the Year for the first time.
Prior to his time in Quincy, Schmitt served as the assistant men's volleyball coach at NCAA DI California Baptist University in Riverside, California starting in 2014-2015 before ascending to the head coach role from 2015-2017. In his two seasons competing against teams in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, Schmitt led the Lancers to 22 wins, including an eight win improvement in his first season at the helm.
From 2011-2014, Schmitt served as the head men's volleyball coach and assistant women's volleyball coach at Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina where he started the men's program in 2013 and finished with a 13-16 record in their inaugural season. A year later, Schmitt paced the program to its first ever Conference Carolinas Championship and NCAA National Tournment appeared after a 21-7 record.
Early on in his career, Schmitt spent two seasons as an assistant women's volleyball coach at Clemson University after five years as head women's volleyball coach at Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina where he also served as Assistant Director of Athletics and Sports Information Director.
"We could not be more thrilled to welcome Derek as our next head volleyball coach," said Linders. "Derek is a proven winner in Division III, and also at the DI level throughout his entire career. His passion to develop student-athletes on and off the court, as well as his ability to win consistently made Derek the ideal fit to lead our volleyball program. We look forward to the leadership he will contribute to our department, his experience in recruiting, and the positive impact he will make here at Gordon. We expect continued success with the Fighting Scots!"
