BEREA, Ohio – Baldwin Wallace University Interim Director of Athletics John Snell '87 and Men's Basketball Head Coach Tom Heil are pleased to announce the promotion of Brian Schmidt from assistant coach to associate head coach.

Schmidt, who begins his seventh season with the men's basketball program, has helped mentor 25 Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference selections, 16 All-OAC performers, the OAC Jim Burson Defensive Player of the Year and the OAC Co-Freshman of the Year.

"Brian has been a very loyal, hardworking, and committed assistant coach for our men's Basketball program," stated Snell.  "I would say that Brian has brought great value to our program and this is our small way of rewarding his outstanding work.  He brings us continuity, deep recruiting contacts, great work ethic and a strong sense of stability that can't be measured.  This is an important step in his professional development."

In addition, he has helped guide the Yellow Jackets to six consecutive winning seasons with an overall record of 102-62 and a 61-47 mark in the OAC.  Schmidt has also coached in six OAC Tournaments with one tournament title, two championship game and three semifinal appearances.

"Brian has been an integral part of our basketball program since the day he stepped on campus," commented Heil. "I can't imagine our program without him as a major part of it. He is a great teacher on the practice floor, a great leader on game day, and a relentless recruiter. His best asset though is his skill for developing genuine relationships with the people in and around our program. My greatest strength as a coach is the fact that I have Brian with me every day."

BW opens its season on Friday, January 22 when it hosts the University of Mount Union in an OAC game in the Ursprung Gymnasium inside the Lou Higgins Recreation Center at 7 p.m.