Cole Schmit has been named to the UCLA women’s soccer coaching staff, according to an announcement from head coach Gof Boyoko. Schmit comes to UCLA after serving as an assistant coach for the University of Washington women’s soccer team from 2022 to 2025.
During his tenure at Washington, Schmit contributed to a 34-15-16 overall record and a 23-15-6 conference record over four seasons. The Huskies achieved double-digit wins in each of the last two years. In 2025, they secured both the Big Ten regular season and conference tournament titles—an accomplishment not seen in the league since 2013. That season concluded with a 15-3-7 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, marking only the third time in program history that Washington reached this stage. The University of Washington coaching staff was also recognized as United Soccer Coaches North Region Staff of the Year following their successful run.
Schmit focused on working with Washington’s defensive unit, which included mentoring Kolo Suliafu, who was named Big Ten Defender of the Year and earned All-American honors in 2025. Under his guidance, the Huskies set a school record with 12 shutouts that year. In 2024, Washington reached the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32 and made it to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament while recording what was then a school-record 11 shutouts and ranking eighth nationally for goals against average.
Head coach Gof Boyoko commented on Schmit’s appointment: “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.”
Before joining Washington’s staff, Schmit spent five seasons coaching San Diego State women’s soccer where he helped secure two Mountain West titles and led them into NCAA Tournament play in 2017. He coached several all-conference players as well as United Soccer Coaches All-Region honorees during his time there. From 2015–16 he served as assistant coach for Westmont College women’s team where he contributed to back-to-back league titles and NAIA Tournament appearances.
Schmit began his coaching career volunteering for Pacific men’s soccer team in 2014.
A native of Upland, California, Schmit played collegiate soccer at Cal Baptist University where he helped win NCCAA Division I national championships in both 2011 and 2012. He finished his college career with ten goals and nine assists across eighty-three games (fifty-nine starts) and was named first-team All-American midfielder in his senior year. He graduated cum laude with a degree in marketing.
On joining UCLA Women’s Soccer, Schmit stated: “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.”
