VMI Athletics

Head Football Coach Danny Rocco announced the hiring of Yahner on December 27, 2022, bringing more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to Lexington, including 6 years with FBS programs and 9 years with FCS programs.

2025 will be Yahner's third with the program. In 2024, he coached Shamus Jones (DB) and Eric Rankin (LB) to All-SoCon second team honors. Additionally, Asa Locks (CB) was named to the All-Freshman Team. Jones set career highs in tackles (98.0), interceptions (2), forced fumbles (2), passes defended (5) and a blocked field goal. Jones' 98.0 stops – which included 56.0 solos – ranked fifth in the SoCon and his 98.0 stops is 44^th in all of FCS football. Rankin, meanwhile, led the league with 120.0 tackles (11^th, FCS) in his senior season, averaging 6.0 solo tackles per game, which ranked third in the country. In 2025, Yahner will focus on the safeties in addition to his playcalling duties. 

In Yahner’s first season at VMI, the team produced marked improvement from the previous season by improving from 1-10 to 5-6 overall and 0-8 to 4-4 in the Southern Conference.  VMI’s defense was instrumental in victories over two top five offenses.  In addition, VMI was #1 in passing defense in the Southern Conference and three defensive players earned All-Southern Conference selections on the first three teams. Under Yahner’s tutelage, 2023 also saw the emergence of Eric Rankin at the middle linebacker spot previously manned by multiple year and all-conference performer, Stone Snyder.  Rankin picked up where Snyder left off earning first-team All-Southern Conference by the media.

In his three seasons with Delaware, Yahner produced four all-conference linebacker selections. In 2022, Johnny Buchanan was named to seven First Team All-American Selections, was a Buck Buchanan Award finalist, and led the FCS with 150 tackles.  In addition, Buchanan was an 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.

In 2022, the Delaware defense ranked #2 in Passing Yards Allowed (137.8 yds/game), #2 Pass Efficiency Defense (105.10), #3 Total Defense (282.6 yds/game), and #5 Scoring Defense (18.23 pts/game) while earning a berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs. 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). Delaware allowed just 121.0 rushing ypg and a league-low 118.4 ypg while also recording 17 sacks in eight games.

From 2018-19, Yahner spent two seasons at Lafayette College, where he was the Linebackers Coach. 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, who was awarded 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 birth 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 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 completed his master's degree in Counselor Education from Penn State in 2006.