Jeff Schmedding enters his second season as inside linebackers coach with the Denver Broncos in 2026. He was hired by the club on March 21, 2025.

In his first season with the Broncos in 2025, Schmedding helped Denver's defense remain one of the top units in the NFL, ranking first in red zone defense (42.6), second in total defense (278.2 ypg), rushing defense (91.1 ypg), and third down defense (33.8) and third in scoring defense (18.3 ppg). Denver was also one of the top teams in the league when defending against tight ends and running backs, allowing the lowest completion percentage in the NFL (66.7) and sixth-fewest completions (144) when those positions were targeted.

Jeff Schmedding enters his second season as inside linebackers coach with the Denver Broncos in 2026. He was hired by the club on March 21, 2025.

In his first season with the Broncos in 2025, Schmedding helped Denver's defense remain one of the top units in the NFL, ranking first in red zone defense (42.6), second in total defense (278.2 ypg), rushing defense (91.1 ypg), and third down defense (33.8) and third in scoring defense (18.3 ppg). Denver was also one of the top teams in the league when defending against tight ends and running backs, allowing the lowest completion percentage in the NFL (66.7) and sixth-fewest completions (144) when those positions were targeted.

With the help of Schmedding, inside linebacker Alex Singleton totaled a team-high 135 tackles (54 solo), one sack (1 yd.), a career-high-tying four passes defensed and one forced fumble in 2025. Schmedding also oversaw the development of inside linebacker Justin Strnad, who had a career season after racking up 4.5 sacks (30.0 yds.) while also notching 52 tackles (21 solo), one interception (21 yds.) and three passes defensed.

With Schmedding's assistance in 2025, the Broncos produced their 16^th division title in team history and their first appearance in the AFC Championship game since the 2015 season.

Schmedding, who has a combined 21 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, joined the Broncos after spending the previous two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Washington State University. He also spent time at Auburn University (2021-22), Boise State University (2019-20) and Eastern Washington University (2004-18).

At Washington State, Schmedding spearheaded a defense that led the nation in 2023 with five defensive touchdowns (2 INT / 3 FUM) while also limiting seven of its opponents to under their season scoring average. He also coached three players to All-Pac-12 honors in 2023 with edge Brennan Jackson, defensive back Jaden Hicks and Chau Smith-Wade all receiving all-conference recognition.

Before his time at Washington State, Schmedding spent two seasons at Auburn, first serving as linebackers/run game coordinator/assistant head coach (2021) before being promoted to defensive coordinator (2022). In his two seasons with the Tigers, Auburn ranked sixth in the SEC in passing yards per attempt (6.80), rushing average against (4.0) and rushing yards against (3,713).

Schmedding oversaw the development of first-team All-SEC edge rusher Derick Hall in 2022, who finished the season with 60 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He also helped coach linebackers Owen Pappoe and Chandler Wooten, both of whom would go on and play in the NFL after their time at Auburn.

Prior to his two years in the SEC, Schmedding spent the 2019-20 seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Boise State. With the Broncos, he helped a defense that ranked fourth in the Mountain West Conference in points per game (23.6), second in third down percentage (34.9), fifth in net yards (7,461) and fourth in touchdowns (62).

During his first season with Boise State in 2019, the Broncos finished with a 12-2 record while also finishing with a Top-15 defense nationally in sacks (37) and scoring (20.6). He also oversaw the development of 2019 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Curtis Weaver, who led the conference and ranked fifth nationally in sacks (13.5) that season.

Schmedding got his start in coaching at his alma mater, Eastern Washington, where he held a variety of roles from 2004-18. With the Eagles, he served as a graduate assistant (2004-06), safeties coach (2007), special teams coordinator/linebackers coach (2008-09), special teams coordinator/safeties coach (2010-14) and defensive coordinator/safeties coach (2015-18).

In his final season as defensive coordinator for the Eagles in 2018, Schmedding led a defense that ranked first in FCS in defensive touchdowns scored and second in forced turnovers, helping the program reach the national title game. The special teams unit also thrived under his direction, including ranking third in FCS in blocked punts (4), 10th in net punting (38.4), 15th in kickoff return average (22.8) and 28th in punt returns (11.8) in 2014.

As a position coach at Eastern Washington, Schmedding coached multiple All Americans, including safety Tevin McDonald, safety Matt Johnson and linebacker J.C. Scherritt. He also coached a number of All-Big Sky Conference players with McDonald, Johnson, Scherritt, safety Allen Brown and cornerback T.J. Lee III rounding out the list.

Schmedding earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and coaching from Eastern Washington in 2002. A native of Spokane, Wash., Jeff Schmedding and his wife, Kristine, have two sons, Jack and Blake.