Indiana University Athletics
Mike Yeager Promoted To IU Safeties Coach
2/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 23, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Mike Yeager, who played for head coach Terry Hoeppner at Miami (Ohio), spent five years as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III The College of Wooster and most recently served as IU's defensive graduate assistant in 2005, has been promoted to the Hoosiers' safeties coach, Hoeppner announced today. Yeager's promotion allows co-defensive coordinator Joe Palcic to move from safeties coach to cornerbacks coach, and Hoeppner noted that running backs coach Gerald Brown and linebackers coach George Ricumstrict will serve as special teams co-coordinators.
Hoeppner feels that these changes will strengthen the Hoosiers' defense.
"I recruited and coached Mike at Miami, and I'm excited that I have the opportunity to make him a full-time coach on our staff," Hoeppner said. "Mike knows the defense, and his familiarity with the coaches and players will make the transition smooth. Joe Palcic coached corners at Miami and having him return to that position will have an immediate impact on our defense."
Yeager believes that maintaining staff continuity will also pay dividends.
"I am absolutely ecstatic about becoming a full time coach at Indiana University and look forward to helping the Hoosiers get to a bowl game this fall," Yeager said. "Being able to work with the safeties last year should allow for a smooth transition this spring."
In addition to working with an Indiana secondary that led the Big Ten Conference in pass defense (202.5 yards per game) last season, Yeager coordinated all film breakdown of opposing offenses. In addition, he was involved with Hoosier recruiting efforts in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.
Prior to his arrival in Bloomington, Yeager spent five years as an assistant coach at The College of Wooster. He started as the Scots' wide receivers coach in 2000-01 before moving to special teams coordinator/defensive backs coach in 2002 and defensive coordinator in 2003-04. Yeager was instrumental in helping Wooster to the 2004 North Coast Athletic Conference title (its first outright league crown since 1934) and the NCAA Division III playoffs.
A Cincinnati native, Yeager was a three-year letterwinner at linebacker for Miami (Ohio) from 1995-99. During his career, the RedHawks posted victories at Northwestern (twice), North Carolina and Virginia Tech, and as a senior, he was third on the team with 116 tackles and tied for the team lead with three interceptions.
A 1999 Miami graduate with a bachelor's degree in sport organization, Yeager is pursuing his master's in sport administration at Indiana.
