Football community mourns loss of legendary UH Coach Yeoman

By Cole McNanna | Special to the Katy Times
Posted 8/21/20

Last week, the football community mourned the loss of Bill Yeoman, the winningest head football coach in University of Houston history and innovator of the Veer offense. He was 92 years …

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Football community mourns loss of legendary UH Coach Yeoman

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Last week, the football community mourned the loss of Bill Yeoman, the winningest head football coach in University of Houston history and innovator of the Veer offense. He was 92 years old.

Yeoman became the first Cougar inducted into the college football hall of fame in 2001 for his 160 wins over 25 seasons at the helm of Houston’s program. He led 17 winning seasons where the Cougars finished nationally ranked 11 times and won four Southwest Conference championships.

Katy High School head football coach and athletic coordinator Gary Joseph said he developed a close relationship with the Yeoman family growing up and offered his thoughts on the legendary coach’s passing.

“It's a tough loss for Houston, he left his legacy there and I think a lot of people really appreciate what he's done for the University of Houston. He's one of those guys that put the University of Houston on the map, he got them in the Southwest Conference, a very competitive Southwest Conference,” Joseph said in an Aug. 13 phone interview. “He was a good man and a very innovative guy; he left a great legacy in Houston. It’s sad to see him go but I know he's in a better place now.”

Yeoman also broke ground in becoming the first head football coach of a major Texas college program to offer a scholarship to a Black athlete in the late ‘60s. Warren McVea earned All-American honors twice at Houston and went on to win both an AFL and NFL championship.

"Coach Yeoman was a leader and visionary in our game. Not only was he a Hall of Fame coach, but also he brought our program to national prominence during his tenure. His legacy will live on in our program and will stand the test of time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, former players and coaches,” said Dana Holgorsen, University of Houston head football coach in an online statement issued by the university.

University of Houston, football, Bill Yeoman, Veer offensive, Cougar, Southwest Conference, Katy High School, Gary Joseph, Dana Holgorsen