Brian Schneider Position: Special Teams Coordinator

Brian Schneider, who has 15 years of experience coaching the special teams, is in his first year as USC's special teams coordinator. He joined the Trojan staff in January of 2009.

Schneider, 37, spent the previous 2 seasons (2007-08) as the Oakland Raiders' special teams coordinator. Both seasons, Shane Lechler led the NFL in punting and was named to the Pro Bowl.

Schneider began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Colorado State, for 3 years (1994-96), working with the special teams and defense. He then was promoted as a fulltime assistant there for the next 6 seasons (1997-2002), as the special teams coordinator and coaching the tight ends.

He moved to UCLA for 3 seasons (2003-05), working with the linebackers and safeties in addition to the special teams. Maurice Jones-Drew led the nation in punt returns in 2005.

In 2006, he handled the special teams and tight ends at Iowa State. He then moved briefly to the Air Force Academy in early 2007 before being hired by the Raiders that season.

He was a 4-year (1990-93) letterwinning linebacker at Colorado State, starting 3 seasons and earning All-Conference first team honors as a senior in 1993. The Rams played in the 1990 Freedom Bowl.

He earned his bachelor's degree in social science from Colorado State in 1994.

He starred in football, basketball and track at Pomona High in Arvada (Colo.).

He was born on May 16, 1971. He and his wife, Kelli, have a daughter, Jaden, 10, and 3 sons, Jace, 8, Joby, 7, and Joel, 4.

SCHNEIDER SNAPSHOT