Brian Schneider is entering his first season as assistant special teams coach with the Washington Commanders. Prior to joining Washington, he spent two seasons (2022-23) with the San Francisco 49ers as the team's special teams coordinator.
Prior to his time in San Francisco, Schneider worked in Seattle as the special teams coordinator from 2010-2020 where he worked with Head Coach Dan Quinn for three seasons. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Colorado State, his alma mater, from 1994-96. Schneider spent time at UCLA (2003-05), Iowa State (2005-06) and Air Force (2007) before making the jump to the NFL as the Oakland Raiders' special teams coordinator in 2007.
With San Francisco in 2023, Schneider's kicking unit, led by K Jake Moody, made 21-of-25 field goal attempts. Moody went 3-for-3 in Super Bowl LVIII with a long of 55 yards. P Mitch Wishnowsky averaged 47.7 yards per punt on the season and landed 26 punts inside the 20.
In 2022, K Robbie Gould made 27-of-32 field goal attempts and 50-of-51 extra point attempts. Gould kicked a game-winner in Week 17 against the Raiders to secure a win for the 49ers. P Mitch Wishnowsky averaged 39.7 net yards per punt and was named the September NFC Special Teams Player of the Month.
Throughout Schneider's tenure as special teams coordinator with the Seahawks (2010-20), Seattle's special teams units ranked first in the NFL in takeaways (26) and second in blocked kicks (24). During the 2013 season, K Stephen Hauschka converted on 33-of-35 field goals for a Seahawks single season record 94.3 made field goal percentage. Hauschka's 143 kicker points also were the most in Seattle history. In Seattle's Super Bowl XLVIII win, WR Percy Harvin returned and took the second half opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown.
Schneider joined Seattle following one season (2009) as the special teams coordinator at the University of Southern California. The Trojans averaged 13.6 yards per punt return, as their punt coverage units held opponents to just 2.1 yards per return. WR Damian Williams returned 22 punts for 339 yards (15.4 average) and two touchdowns on the season.
From 2007-08, Schneider was the special teams coordinator for the Oakland Raiders. In both seasons, P Shane Lechler led the NFL in punting and was named to the Pro Bowl. In 2006, he coached special teams and tight ends at Iowa State University. Schneider had a brief stint at the Air Force Academy in early 2007 prior to being hired by the Raiders that season.
Schneider joined Iowa State after three seasons (2003-05) at UCLA, working with the linebackers and safeties in addition to the special teams. RB Maurice Jones-Drew led the nation in punt returns in 2005 (15). Schneider began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Colorado State University, for three years (1994-96), working with the special teams and defense. He was later promoted as a full-time assistant for the following six seasons (1997-2002), as the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach.
A four-year (1990-93) letter-winner at linebacker for Colorado State, Schneider started three seasons and earned First-Team All-Western Athletic Conference honors as a senior in 1993. He earned his bachelor's degree in social science from Colorado State in 1994. Schneider and his wife, Kelli, have a daughter, Jaden, and three sons, Jace, Joby and Joel.
