Steve Schmidt is retiring as head coach of the Lady Pirate basketball team at Granbury High School at the end of the 2018-19 school year.
“I have been an educator for 29 years and feel extremely blessed to have worked with some of the best young men and women and fellow educators in the state of Texas,” Schmidt commented. “Although the wins on the scoreboard did not come nearly as much or as often as I would have liked, I am confident that my coaching staff and I have given one hundred percent to the Lady Pirates. With several returning varsity players and a first-place junior varsity team, there is a strong foundation set to get GHS girls basketball back into the playoff arena.”
Schmidt will retire this summer after 24 years as a head girls basketball coach. “Coach Schmidt has an impressive career record including numerous district championships, playoff appearances, and three trips to the state championship game as well as a strong work ethic,” commented GISD athletic director Dwight Butler. “We thank him for his service in Granbury both leading our girls basketball program and also serving as girls athletic coordinator.”
The retiring coach began his career at Tulia High School in 1990 as the head cross country coach and as an assistant coach for both the high school and middle school basketball and track teams. The Lady Hornets won the state championship in 1991. He later served as head coach in Clarendon and Pampa before moving to Argyle, posting district championships and playoff appearances in many of those years.
Just prior to Granbury, Schmidt was the head basketball coach and girls athletic director in Eastland, where began in 2011. He previously coached in Argyle, leading his team to the state championship in 2006 and to the state title game again in 2009. The Lady Eagles also were regional finalists in 2007 and regional semi-finalists in 2008.
“I am very thankful for the backing and support that I experienced throughout these five years. The support from [Coach] Butler, the school board, the superintendent, and the entire administrative staff at GHS was always noticed and appreciated,” said Schmidt. “Athletics and education has always been a team effort, and it takes all groups working together to achieve anything worthwhile.”
Schmidt was named the Coach of the Year by the Texas Girls Coaches Association in 2006, when he also had the honor of coaching one of the association’s all-star teams. He twice received the Greater Denton Sports Commission’s Coach of the Year award. In addition, Schmidt has worked as a clinician for the state association as well as universities and high schools.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1990. While in college, he was collegiate track athlete and was the conference record-holder in the 800-meter run.
“I am very excited to be able to retire at this time, although there are definitely a lot of good kids and colleagues I will miss,” stated Schmidt. “Michelle and I plan to remain in Granbury, where we are very active in our church, and I am looking at some possible business ideas at this time.”