Bulldogs tab Yarno as new head football coach
—Courtesy photo George Yarno, who has plenty of ties to North Idaho, was named the new head football coach at Sandpoint on Wednesday, calling it his dream job.
Former Idaho St. All-American ready for ‘dream job’
By ERIC PLUMMER
Sports editor
SANDPOINT — As football pedigrees go, it’s pretty tough to beat that of George Yarno, who accepted the head football coaching job at Sandpoint High School on Wednesday.
Yarno, 32, was raised on football, and in particular, the offensive line, where he was an All-American center at Idaho State University in 2006 after transferring from Nevada. Since then, he’s been an assistant coach at Coronado High School in Las Vegas, and for the past two seasons, the defensive line coach at perennial 5A power Highland in Pocatello.
Yarno interviewed for the Sandpoint job four years ago, which ultimately went to Satini Puailoa in his second stint. During the second round of interviews recently, Yarno echoed the same sentiment he did before.
“I told it to them then, and I told it to them this time, this is my dream job,” said Yarno, who was born in Spokane and played high school football at Moscow before eventually moving to Phoenix as a junior. “Building young men is going to be a top priority on and off the field. Work hard, play hard, be disciplined, do things right.”
Yarno succeeds Puailoa, who did not leave the cupboard bare, as the varsity finished second in state, the Bulldog JV team went 9-1 and the freshman team 7-2. The program also has brand new shoulder pads and helmets, tackling sleds and coaching headsets, and just over a year from now, a brand new stadium.
Yarno is eager to take the reins and guide the program to another state championship, and go about filling the big shoes left by Puailoa.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. He’s got a great thing going here,” said Yarno of Puailoa, who will still be around the program in a more limited role. “He’s done a hell of a job there. I just want to continue that. Bring some X’s and O’s, some energy, and get us over the top.”
His father George Yarno Sr. starred at Washington State before playing 10 years in the NFL as a guard for the Buccaneers, Falcons and Oilers. After that, he became the offensive line coach for Washington State, LSU and Arizona State, before coaching seven seasons in the NFL for the Buccaneers, Lions and Jaguars.
Yarno’s uncle John was an All-American center for the University of Idaho, before starting for five years in the NFL for the Seahawks. The younger Yarno got to hang out with his dad in both NFL and college locker rooms, film rooms and practice fields, absorbing unquantifiable coaching knowledge along the way.
“I’ve seen him teach it for 30 years. How to get players on the same page; it’s been extremely valuable,” remembered Yarno, adding that he’s also been privileged to coach under Highland’s Gino Mariani. “He’s one of the greatest offensive minds in football, one of the best play callers I’ve ever seen. That’s a guy I’ll lean on.”
Sandpoint athletic director Kris Knowles was thrilled with the hire, and feels Yarno is well equipped to keep the program on its current upward plane.
“He’s fired up to be a Bulldog,” described Knowles. “He’s got that strength and conditioning weight room background, he’s youthful, energetic and ready to rock.”
When asked to described his coaching style, Yarno answered “innovative and adaptable.” Like most offensive lineman, he knows what wins football games, and will boast a strong commitment to the running game.
He admits that depending on personnel, he could run a base 4-3 defense, or a 3-4, if he has more athletes at linebacker. He will also tailor his offense to strengths, whether they be of the running or throwing variety. Regardless of the X’s and O’s, the team will reflect the work ethic of its new coach.
“I was always an undersized player, so I worked harder than everyone else. I need to do that in order to play,” claimed Yarno. “That what I want to teach these kids.”
Knowles called Yarno very cerebral and smart, noting he’s got a masters degree in microbiology. He also relates very well to kids, both on the field and in the classroom.
“That’s the one thread that keeps coming through, he’s all about the kids,” said Knowles. “He’s well versed in the game of football, but also an incredible teacher.”