ST. PAUL, Minn. (Oct. 28, 2026) – Minnesota Forge General Manager and Head Coach Pedro Mendes today announced that the team has named Guilherme Schmitz as an assistant coach.
Schmitz most recently served as head coach of the Colombian national team, turning it into a contender in South American volleyball. Under his direction, the team finished second at both the Copa Sudamericana and Central American and Caribbean Games and earned a bronze medal at the 2028 Olympic Qualifier, where it advanced to the FIVB World Cup. The team is currently ranked 23rd in the FIVB world rankings.
“Guilherme is exactly the kind of coach we need as we build the Minnesota Forge,” said Forge General Manager and Head Coach Pedro Mendes. “He brings a wealth of experience across different roles and levels of volleyball, along with a valuable international perspective on the game. Wherever he has been, he has helped build teams and programs, which speaks to both his experience and his ability to make a difference. He has a strong work ethic, a team-first mentality, and a genuine commitment to helping the people around him get better. I’m extremely excited to have him on our staff and look forward to working together as we build something special in Minnesota.”
Schmitz began his post-playing career as a statistician before serving as an assistant coach for Fluminense F.C. of the Brazilian Superliga from 2015 to 2021, when he was promoted to head coach, a role he held through 2025. He also has an extensive record of player development, winning two South American U-20 Championships as an assistant coach with Brazil’s U-20 national team and a South American U-19 title as head coach of Brazil’s U-19 team.
“This is such an exciting opportunity to be able to work with these world-class athletes on the Minnesota Forge roster,” said Schmitz. “I believe that my experience in developing players can complement what Coach Mendes is implementing on the court. I love the culture he is building in Minnesota, and I am looking forward to contributing to that.”
About Minnesota Forge
Minnesota Forge is Minnesota’s professional women’s volleyball team and a member of Major League Volleyball. Owned by Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, the team begins its inaugural season at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul in January 2027. The franchise is being built to present elite volleyball, expand opportunities for women athletes and connect Minnesota’s statewide volleyball community. Visit MinnesotaForge.com.
About Major League Volleyball
Major League Volleyball (MLV) is the premier professional volleyball league in the United States, designed to provide the sport and its athletes with the major league platform they deserve. Founded on a player-first philosophy, MLV combines elite competition, significant investment in athlete development, experienced professional sports ownership and a commitment to the long-term growth of volleyball across the country. As the league enters its fourth season in 2027, MLV has expanded to 12 teams from coast-to-coast in some of the top media markets in the nation. It will continue to create top-level, lasting opportunities and memories for players, coaches and local communities while leading the way in solidifying the future of professional volleyball in North America. For more information, visit MLVB.com and follow the league on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.