Nate Schmidt came to UNLV prior to the 2020-21 season after serving on staff for the Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G-League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks.
During the 2019-20 season, which came to a premature end because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Herd finished with the G-League’s best record at 33-10, while securing the organization’s first playoff berth. The Herd set numerous records throughout the year, including being one of only two teams to ever average 120 points and 50 rebounds per game in the same season.
The Herd received numerous awards throughout the year, including three straight G-League Player of the Month honors, two Player of the Weeks awards and the Coach of the Month honor. Three players were recognized with All-NBA G-League Team honors and Frank Mason was named the NBA G-League MVP. The Herd’s focus on player development throughout the year was key as they had three players called up by the NBA and sign contracts.
Schmidt’s main duties with the Herd included on-court player development workouts, film breakdowns, analytical offensive projects and opponent scouting.
Prior to coming into the G-League, Schmidt worked as an individual player development coach for numerous NBA and overseas professional players, including Georges Niang (Utah Jazz) and Naz Mitrou-Long (Indiana Pacers). He specialized in working with players on a variety of on-court skills and situations, incorporating numerous film and analytical breakdowns.
Schmidt coached for two years at Indian Hills Community College, as an assistant coach, working with all aspects of the program, including recruiting, day-to-day academics and game preparation. The Warriors went 60-8, including two national postseason appearances, with him on the staff and he was instrumental in helping 18 players move on to Division I schools.
Schmidt began his college coaching career working three years at Iowa State University, as the Coordinator of Player Development and Graduate Assistant under Fred Hoiberg and Steve Prohm. During his tenure, the Cyclones went 72-41, earning three NCAA Tournament appearances, capturing two Big 12 Tournament titles.
Iowa State players received multiple personal accolades while working with Schmidt, which included 16 All-Big 12 honors, two All-Big 12 individual awards and two NCAA All-Americans in Niang and Monte Morris. Niang also earned the Karl Malone Award, given annually to the nation's top power forward.
A total of six players from those Iowa State teams, including three NBA Draft picks, were on NBA rosters during the 2019-20 season, all of which worked closely with Schmidt on the court during his time as a graduate assistant.
Schmidt, a Ypsilanti, Michigan, native, started coaching as an assistant under Nate Oats at Romulus High School in Romulus, Michigan, from 2011-13. Romulus won the Class A state title in 2013 and had eight players earn Division I scholarships.
Schmidt graduated from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, where he earned a degree in economics in 2014. He earned his master's degree from Iowa State in educational leadership and policies in 2016.
