Rich Yahner - Football Coach - University of Delaware Athletics

Rich Yahner

Title:
Assistant Coach/Linebackers
Email:
ryahner@udel.edu

Rich Yahner joined the Delaware coaching staff prior to the 2020-21 spring season, and is entering his third season coaching the team’s linebackers. He brings more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to Newark, including six years with FBS programs and seven years with FCS programs.

In his first two seasons with the Blue Hens, Yahner has produced three all-conference linebacker selections. Johnny Buchanan was named to the All-CAA First Team following the 2020-21 season before earning a second-team nod in 2021 when he led UD with 81 total tackles. Colby Reeder was also selected to the All-CAA Third Team in 2021 after registering 55 tackles, 5.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks in just eight games.

During Delaware’s run to the FCS Semifinals in the 2020-21 spring season, Yahner’s linebackers helped anchor a Blue Hen defense that led the CAA in scoring defense (14.4 ppg) while ranking second in total defense (239.4 ypg). The Blue & Gold allowed just 121.0 rushing ypg and a league-low 118.4 ypg while also recording 17 sacks in eight games. In 2021, UD ranked fifth in the CAA in total defense (338.7 ypg), as well as sixth in both scoring defense (23.4 ppg) and rushing defense (133.8 ppg). In addition, Yahner served as acting defensive coordinator in Manny Rojas’ absence at Rhode Island on October 9, 2021.

Yahner came to Delaware after spending the 2018-19 seasons at Lafayette College, where he was the linebackers coach and worked with current UD defensive coordinator Manny Rojas. In his two years with the Leopards, Yahner coached four All-Patriot League performers, while also assisting the special teams units. The 2019 campaign saw Major Jordan earn all-conference honors after leading the team with 112 stops, including 10 tackles for loss.

Prior to Lafayette, Yahner spent a season at San Diego Mesa Community College, where he was the defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach. At Mesa, Yahner coached Brandan Hall, a future Blue Hen, to Defensive Player of the Year in the conference in 2017. The Mesa defense stifled opponents by only surrendering 17.5 ppg, 88.5 rushing ypg, and generated 43 takeaways.

From 2014-16, Yahner served as the wide receivers coach and assumed additional duties such video coordinator and acting recruiting coordinator at Seton Hill University. During his tenure at Seton Hill, Yahner coached three different receivers to all-conference selections. In 2015, Yahner guided Ardell Brown to a USA Today Freshman All-American honor.

Yahner spent three seasons at Penn State (2011-13). In 2011, Yahner was a defensive backs graduate assistant working that helped the Nittany Lions earn a berth in the TicketCity Bowl. From 2012-13, Yahner was a special teams analyst. Penn State won eight of its final 10 games to finish the 2012 season with an 8-4 record, and Head Coach Bill O'Brien was named the Bear Bryant, Maxwell Football Club and ESPN National Coach of the Year after winning more games than any other first-year head coach in the program's previous 125 seasons.

Yahner worked the 2010 season at Juniata College as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach. The offseason recruiting efforts by the coaching staff spearheaded a rejuvenation in the program which was highlighted by future record-setting QB Ward Udinski. In addition, Yahner was influential in the installment of a 3-4 defense in the spring of 2011.

From 2006-09, Yahner was on staff at the University of Virginia as a defensive backs graduate assistant. During his time in Charlottesville, the Cavaliers went 9-4 in 2007 with a 6-2 record in ACC play, including a victory over No. 21 Wake Forest, and played in the Gator Bowl.

Yahner was the co-defensive coordinator at Tyrone High School from 2003-05 winning two district championships and advancing to the PIAA Western Finals in 2004.

From 2000-02, Yahner was on the staff at Lehigh University as the assistant linebackers coach. While at Lehigh, the Mountain Hawks won two Patriot League Championships, advancing to the second round of the FCS Playoffs twice.

Yahner got his coaching start at Clarion University in 1999 as the inside linebackers coach/defensive graduate assistant. Yahner coached linebacker Brett Wiley to a first-team All-PSAC selection.

Yahner earned his bachelor's degree in rehabilitation services from Penn State in 1999 and finished his master's degree in counselor education from Penn State in 2006. Yahner is married to his wife, Jaissa.