Mark Schmidt often flies under the radar when you think of college basketball coaches with 400-plus career wins. The 62-year-old North Attleboro, Massachusetts native has quietly built one of the steadiest mid-major programs in the country since taking over at St. Bonaventure in 2007.
A Veteran Coach Still Chasing the Next Step
Before his time with the Bonnies, Schmidt spent six seasons at Robert Morris, where he tallied 82 victories after years as an assistant following his playing career at Boston College. In total, Schmidt has amassed 491 career wins and a reputation for maximizing potential at programs that rarely draw the national spotlight.
Building a Consistent Winner with the Bonnies
During his 18 seasons with St. Bonaventure, Schmidt has guided the Bonnies to two Atlantic 10 regular-season titles (2016, 2021) and two conference tournament championships. Twice named A-10 Coach of the Year, he’s transformed the Bonnies into perennial contenders, even if March success has been limited.
His NCAA Tournament record sits at 1-3, with the lone victory coming in the 2018 First Four, when St. Bonaventure upset UCLA 65-58 before falling to Florida in the next round. Despite that, Schmidt’s Bonnies have remained a respected, competitive presence in the conference.
Reloading for Another Run
St. Bonaventure enters the 2025-26 season after back-to-back 20-win campaigns that ended short of NCAA Tournament glory. The Bonnies’ most recent season concluded with a first-round NIT loss, leaving fans eager for more. Schmidt now holds 324 wins with the program, including 167 in Atlantic 10 play.
With new general manager Adrian Wojnarowski helping drive international recruiting efforts, St. Bonaventure added a mix of global and domestic talent. Ilia Emakov (Moscow) and Achille Lonati (Italy) join freshman Joe Grahovac from California, while transfers Amar’e Marshall (Albany), Brayden Jackson (Buffalo), Darryl Simmons II (Gardner-Webb), and Frank Mitchell (Minnesota) bring experience and depth.
Early Season Tests for Schmidt and Crew
The Bonnies’ season tips off in South Carolina as part of the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon, where they’ll face the Bradley Braves of the Missouri Valley Conference. They’ll then return to Olean to host Canisius at the Reilly Center before heading to Fort Myers over Thanksgiving. There, they’ll take on national power North Carolina and later visit Florida Atlantic in what could be key early measuring-stick matchups.
Coach Schmidt’s St. Bonaventure teams have long earned respect for their discipline and toughness. Now, in 2025-26, the question is whether that consistency can finally translate into a long-awaited return to March Madness.