The MIAA football coaches present an award honoring the legacy of Pete Schmidt and for his dedication to and love of MIAA football. Schmidt was a graduate of Alma College where he competed in football and baseball. After a successful high school coaching career, he became head coach at Albion College, leading the Britons to nine championships in 14 seasons (1983-96) and an NCAA Division III national championship in 1994. Schmidt died of cancer in 2000.
| 2001 | Matt Tremblay, Adrian |
| 2002 | Randy Spence, Adrian |
| 2003 | Nate Edwards, Alma |
| 2004 | Phil Morse, Hope |
| 2005 | Travis Sleight, Olivet |
| 2006 | Adam Garvin, Trine |
| 2007 | Michael Benson, Kalamazoo & George Klupchak, Hope |
| 2008 | Buddy Scarborough, Alma |
| 2009 | Neil Droppers, Hope |
| 2010 | Jeremy Howard, Trine |
| 2011 | Matt Lozier, Albion |
| 2012 | Mario Brown, Trine |
| 2013 | Anthony Edwards, Olivet |
| 2014 | Blake Padget, Alma |
| 2015 | Dylan Dunn, Adrian |
| 2016 | Zachary Denig, Trine |
| 2017 | Brandon Ellsworth, Hope |
| 2018 | Trent Monroe, Olivet |
| 2019 | Chase Bouschor, Albion |
| Spring 2021* | Jonathan Lutchka, Albion |
| 2021 | Justin White, Trine |
| 2022 | De'Ondric Sanders, Albion |
* Fall 2020 season played in the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19.
