Gus Schmader was named head track & field and cross country coach in August 2022 and oversees all operations of both programs.
In just his second season leading the Bronchos, Schmader saw a record-setting track & field season reinvigorate the Central program. He led UCO as the Bronchos set seven new school records. There were new marks set during Indoor season in the 200 and 400, as well as the 4x400 relay and the long jump. There were also new marks set during Outdoor season in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, and the shot put. Schmader coached his first All-American at UCO in 2024 with Treasure Vallerie earning the honor during Indoor season.
In his first season with the cross country program, he saw a freshman crack into the Top 20 times list. and he also had an All-MIAA and USTFCCCA All-Region thrower in his first track & field season.
Schmader brought more than 15 years of coaching experience at almost every collegiate level to Central Oklahoma.
He came to UCO from Coker University in Hartsville, South Carolina, where he led both the cross country and track & field programs. He coached both men's and women's programs. His previous stops include NAIA Indiana East, Division II Barton College (N.C.), Division I St. Francis (Pa.), and his alma mater, Lincoln (Pa.). He started as an assistant coach at Lincoln in 2005 at the DIII school.
Though Schmader spent just one season at Division II Coker, he coached four national qualifiers, seven All-Region selections, and five South Atlantic Conference champions.
A four-year stint as head coach at Indiana East in Richmond, Indiana preceded his time at Coker. Schmader, who was named the 2020 Men's Conference Coach of the Year, led student-athletes in both men's and women's programs to enormous success. He coached 30 conference champions, 54 All-Conference performers, 16 national qualifiers and eight NAIA All-Americans.
Schmader spent two years as an assistant coach at Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina from 2015-16. Under his leadership, the program set more than two dozen school records, had nine conference champions, and 22 All-Region performances.
Prior to that, from 2011-14, Schmader was an assistant coach at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. The success was similar there as every other stop. Schmader coached 15 Northeast Conference Champions and four national qualifiers. He was named the 2013 Northeast Conference Assistant Coach of the Year. He served as event coach for the NEC Women's MVP in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Schmader coached at his alma mater Lincoln from 2005 until 2010, with the men's team winning the NCAA Division II Men's Indoor National Championship in 2007.
Schmader was a student-athlete at Lincoln. He won the 2002 DIII national title as part of the 4x100 relay team. His 4x400 relay team set a school record that still stands today. And in 2005, his final year competing for the Lions, he helped the team to a national runner-up team finish in Indoor season before winning the Outdoor national title. He won the 2005 100-meter dash national title with a time of 10.53 seconds.
Schmader also serves as an assistant coach and recruiter for the Liberian national team.
