It’s just an assistant offensive line coach position so I don’t think that rules him out.
After researching his likely salary with the jets I agree he’s out of Yale’s price range.
so far not a not a peep about what the health issue was/is or prognosis. Anyone know? Have to root for the guy. Only in his 50’s
Strange that nothing has leaked.
Sad day. Not sure a national search is needed. Promote someone on the staff who has been crucial in recruiting the current class and will keep the staff intact. The longer we go without a head coach, the more other schools will try and poach players. It’s a different world now.
Agreed. No need for a national search at all. Rice or McGowan. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it…
I think beginning a national search now is too late for the 2026 season. If they don’t want to hire McGowan now they should at least make him interim head coach for 2026. That’s what Dartmouth and Columbia did recently with late coach resignations. Then Yale can reevaluate at the end of the season. I feel McGown will be a great head coach.
Rice would be a phenomenal hire. Someone who can truly carry the program forward in Tony’s footsteps.
This announcement is indeed distressing. I am sure all Yale football fans are joined in hoping Coach Reno will be able to return to good health. We are not just losing an outstanding coach we are seeing the end of a memorable era of Yale football. In his last year leading the Bulldogs, Tony provided us with a remarkable win over Harvard and a historic victory in a post season tournament. Thank you Coach, we are going to miss you.
To Tony and his family, Whatever your going through may it be of comfort that only good thoughts and prayers be sent your way. Football is on the back burner of this matter.
Please know that you were a vital piece in the history of Yale Football, you made young kids into young men who were guided by you and your staff. Being nothing but a Fan. Not know the intricacies of your team. The way you molded it into a championship character. Was a great experience and a huge joy to witness. Thank you so much for so many amazing memories over the years. Allowing us to share these moments in history of Yale Football.
The Football Team is in great hands with Coach McGowan, the staff are all qualified to lead this team forward.
Sincerely Jon Harris,
JON,
WONDERFULL SETIMENTS!!
1) I wish the best for Coach Reno and his family as they navigate this troubled time. THANK YOU, Coach, for all you’ve done for Yale football!
2) I am very happy that Tony and Dante got to spend at least one year together in the program — and not just any year, one of the most memorable years in recent decades. May they always cherish the memories they formed in 2025.
3) I agree with the comments posted here that starting a national search seems ill-advised at this time. Reiterating Coach McGowan’s role as Interim Head Coach feels like it would’ve been the wisest move for the program in the short term. Will we see recruits — and current players, for that matter — and potentially assistant coaches, leaving for calmer waters? I sure hope not…
4) I had posted recently that I suspected that an announcement like this was known to be coming all along, and I still believe that to be true. Those on the inside had to know that Coach Reno was not going to come back; otherwise, they would have publicly announced the shift to Coach McGowan when it first “leaked” via the Y Football Association email. I’m not sure why (A) it wasn’t formally announced back in early December, and (B) why it took 2 1/2 months to get to where we are.
I would think that Coach McGowan would be a tremendous pivot. Without any inside knowledge, it appears he was doing a tremendous job leading us into Havard game last Fall and throughout the playoffs! I hope he is greatly respected within the program, and he has my vote to lead us in 2026!
Gentlemen; M also policyy thoughts and prayers to Mr. Reno and his family. As to the current A.D. failure to have a contingency plan under the circumstances in place is another example of gross incompetence. The statement a national search will begin immediately totally undermines the current staff, players and recruits. This demonstrates a total lack of understanding of how to run a football program. I sincerely hope the AD immediately announces the hiring of Mr. McGowan as the current head coach to prevent major injury to the program.
Kevin Cahill would be an excellent fit here.
Agree. Unfortunately, he signed an extension with Lehigh in Dec. How hard is it to break these contracts?
Blessings, positive thoughts, and grateful thanks to Coach Tony Reno and his family.
Cahill just named head coach 17 mins ago for the Bulldogs
Brutal for Lehigh but, hey, they’re not that high on my list of concerns. Seems like this is what folks wanted who know about these things.
My guess is the “national search” never went any further than Pennsylvania. And that’s exactly the way it should have been.
Yep, I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of this was in the works when Coach Reno first stepped down, and that’s why no official press releases were made at that time — perhaps they were waiting to see if they’d be able to successfully extricate Coach Cahill from his Lehigh contract before making any proclamations about the future of the program.
On the surface, this seems like a great move. Time will tell, but I’m optimistic!
Cahill is the 35th Head Coach of Football at Yale. From 1952 to 2025 there have been six, Olivar, Pont, Cozza, Siedlecki, Williams, and Reno. That means from 1872 until 1951 there were 28. Who can name them? Off the top of my head I can think of maybe a half dozen or so. I would never have guessed 28.
Yale had no coach for its first 15 years and then Walter Camp for five seasons. After that, until the 1920s, the coach was generally a one year position for a recent Yale grad.
Reno should be in any top 5 list. Here’s my top 5:
1) Walter Camp
2) Tad Jones
3) Carmen Cozza
4) Tony Reno
5) William Rhodes
A splendid list, SoE.
I once got to interview Carm and congratulated him on being our winningest coach. He replied, “Thanks, I wish I had Walter Camp’s winning percentage” (.971, going 68-2).
TAD Jones, I just found, was also Yale QB in 1907, plus baseball captain. And of course he said the immortal: “”Gentlemen, you are now going to play football against Harvard. Never again in your whole life will you do anything so important.”
Wow, six coaches in 74 seasons… and Pont for just two, Williams for three. Subtract them and it’s four coaches in 69 years, an average of 17 years per coach.
Far more importantly, Kevin Cahill keeps alive the storied tradition of bald Yale head football coaches! Carm Cozza, Jack Siedlecki, Tom Williams: Bald! Jordan Olivar, John Pont: significantly receded! Tony Reno, slightly!
As a fellow failing-follicle fellow, WELCOME COACH CAHILL!!
Congratulations to Coach Cahill, and best wishes for a long a successful tenure as Head Football Coach at Yale!
Meanwhile, we are 7 months and 1 week away from Yale’s 3rd game of the 2026 season, with no idea who the opponent will be that day.
Unless my research is faulty, it appears that all members of the Patriot League and Coastal Athletic Ass’n. are off the board as potential opponents. Most of the Northeast Conference is unavailable, with the possible exceptions of Duquesne, Mercyhurst and Wagner. (The NEC hasn’t released their in-conference schedule, so it’s impossible to know yet if any of those three will be playing conference games on Oct. 3.) The only other regional option I see is Merrimack, an FCS independent that I suspect is the most-likely option, given that they have no conference schedule to accommodate. Maybe some outside-the-box options exist, but even some of those are not possible (UConn, Cal Poly, San Diego, Dayton, Mercer). What’s the hold-up?!
Yale should take some initiative and tell the Ivy League that we are starting the season a week or two earlier due to the changing landscape of FCS football which makes it hard now to find OOC opponents who aren’t playing conference game in October. This should open up many more scheduling possibilities and allow for a bye on 10/3.
What are they going to do. Kick us out of the league?
34 replies on “Reno Steps Down”
Who will take his place… 2009 captain and co-defensive coordinator Paul Rice?
I assume McGowan.
Press release says a national search for his replacement will begin immediately. Al Netter is someone they should take a hard look at.
Seconding Netter. Class act.
Al Netter just took a job with the NY Jets.https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/coaches-roster/al-netter
So not him!
It’s just an assistant offensive line coach position so I don’t think that rules him out.
After researching his likely salary with the jets I agree he’s out of Yale’s price range.
so far not a not a peep about what the health issue was/is or prognosis. Anyone know? Have to root for the guy. Only in his 50’s
Strange that nothing has leaked.
Sad day. Not sure a national search is needed. Promote someone on the staff who has been crucial in recruiting the current class and will keep the staff intact. The longer we go without a head coach, the more other schools will try and poach players. It’s a different world now.
Agreed. No need for a national search at all. Rice or McGowan. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it…
I think beginning a national search now is too late for the 2026 season. If they don’t want to hire McGowan now they should at least make him interim head coach for 2026. That’s what Dartmouth and Columbia did recently with late coach resignations. Then Yale can reevaluate at the end of the season. I feel McGown will be a great head coach.
Rice would be a phenomenal hire. Someone who can truly carry the program forward in Tony’s footsteps.
This announcement is indeed distressing. I am sure all Yale football fans are joined in hoping Coach Reno will be able to return to good health. We are not just losing an outstanding coach we are seeing the end of a memorable era of Yale football. In his last year leading the Bulldogs, Tony provided us with a remarkable win over Harvard and a historic victory in a post season tournament. Thank you Coach, we are going to miss you.
To Tony and his family, Whatever your going through may it be of comfort that only good thoughts and prayers be sent your way. Football is on the back burner of this matter.
Please know that you were a vital piece in the history of Yale Football, you made young kids into young men who were guided by you and your staff. Being nothing but a Fan. Not know the intricacies of your team. The way you molded it into a championship character. Was a great experience and a huge joy to witness. Thank you so much for so many amazing memories over the years. Allowing us to share these moments in history of Yale Football.
The Football Team is in great hands with Coach McGowan, the staff are all qualified to lead this team forward.
Sincerely Jon Harris,
JON,
WONDERFULL SETIMENTS!!
1) I wish the best for Coach Reno and his family as they navigate this troubled time. THANK YOU, Coach, for all you’ve done for Yale football!
2) I am very happy that Tony and Dante got to spend at least one year together in the program — and not just any year, one of the most memorable years in recent decades. May they always cherish the memories they formed in 2025.
3) I agree with the comments posted here that starting a national search seems ill-advised at this time. Reiterating Coach McGowan’s role as Interim Head Coach feels like it would’ve been the wisest move for the program in the short term. Will we see recruits — and current players, for that matter — and potentially assistant coaches, leaving for calmer waters? I sure hope not…
4) I had posted recently that I suspected that an announcement like this was known to be coming all along, and I still believe that to be true. Those on the inside had to know that Coach Reno was not going to come back; otherwise, they would have publicly announced the shift to Coach McGowan when it first “leaked” via the Y Football Association email. I’m not sure why (A) it wasn’t formally announced back in early December, and (B) why it took 2 1/2 months to get to where we are.
I would think that Coach McGowan would be a tremendous pivot. Without any inside knowledge, it appears he was doing a tremendous job leading us into Havard game last Fall and throughout the playoffs! I hope he is greatly respected within the program, and he has my vote to lead us in 2026!
Gentlemen; M also policyy thoughts and prayers to Mr. Reno and his family. As to the current A.D. failure to have a contingency plan under the circumstances in place is another example of gross incompetence. The statement a national search will begin immediately totally undermines the current staff, players and recruits. This demonstrates a total lack of understanding of how to run a football program. I sincerely hope the AD immediately announces the hiring of Mr. McGowan as the current head coach to prevent major injury to the program.
Kevin Cahill would be an excellent fit here.
Agree. Unfortunately, he signed an extension with Lehigh in Dec. How hard is it to break these contracts?
Blessings, positive thoughts, and grateful thanks to Coach Tony Reno and his family.
Cahill just named head coach 17 mins ago for the Bulldogs
https://x.com/collegefbportal/status/2026030406693523890?s=42
Brutal for Lehigh but, hey, they’re not that high on my list of concerns. Seems like this is what folks wanted who know about these things.
My guess is the “national search” never went any further than Pennsylvania. And that’s exactly the way it should have been.
Yep, I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of this was in the works when Coach Reno first stepped down, and that’s why no official press releases were made at that time — perhaps they were waiting to see if they’d be able to successfully extricate Coach Cahill from his Lehigh contract before making any proclamations about the future of the program.
On the surface, this seems like a great move. Time will tell, but I’m optimistic!
https://yalebulldogs.com/news/2026/2/23/kevin-cahill-named-the-joel-e-smilow-54-head-coach-of-yale-football.aspx
Cahill is the 35th Head Coach of Football at Yale. From 1952 to 2025 there have been six, Olivar, Pont, Cozza, Siedlecki, Williams, and Reno. That means from 1872 until 1951 there were 28. Who can name them? Off the top of my head I can think of maybe a half dozen or so. I would never have guessed 28.
Yale had no coach for its first 15 years and then Walter Camp for five seasons. After that, until the 1920s, the coach was generally a one year position for a recent Yale grad.
Reno should be in any top 5 list. Here’s my top 5:
1) Walter Camp
2) Tad Jones
3) Carmen Cozza
4) Tony Reno
5) William Rhodes
A splendid list, SoE.
I once got to interview Carm and congratulated him on being our winningest coach. He replied, “Thanks, I wish I had Walter Camp’s winning percentage” (.971, going 68-2).
TAD Jones, I just found, was also Yale QB in 1907, plus baseball captain. And of course he said the immortal: “”Gentlemen, you are now going to play football against Harvard. Never again in your whole life will you do anything so important.”
Wow, six coaches in 74 seasons… and Pont for just two, Williams for three. Subtract them and it’s four coaches in 69 years, an average of 17 years per coach.
Far more importantly, Kevin Cahill keeps alive the storied tradition of bald Yale head football coaches! Carm Cozza, Jack Siedlecki, Tom Williams: Bald! Jordan Olivar, John Pont: significantly receded! Tony Reno, slightly!
As a fellow failing-follicle fellow, WELCOME COACH CAHILL!!
Congratulations to Coach Cahill, and best wishes for a long a successful tenure as Head Football Coach at Yale!
Meanwhile, we are 7 months and 1 week away from Yale’s 3rd game of the 2026 season, with no idea who the opponent will be that day.
Unless my research is faulty, it appears that all members of the Patriot League and Coastal Athletic Ass’n. are off the board as potential opponents. Most of the Northeast Conference is unavailable, with the possible exceptions of Duquesne, Mercyhurst and Wagner. (The NEC hasn’t released their in-conference schedule, so it’s impossible to know yet if any of those three will be playing conference games on Oct. 3.) The only other regional option I see is Merrimack, an FCS independent that I suspect is the most-likely option, given that they have no conference schedule to accommodate. Maybe some outside-the-box options exist, but even some of those are not possible (UConn, Cal Poly, San Diego, Dayton, Mercer). What’s the hold-up?!
Yale should take some initiative and tell the Ivy League that we are starting the season a week or two earlier due to the changing landscape of FCS football which makes it hard now to find OOC opponents who aren’t playing conference game in October. This should open up many more scheduling possibilities and allow for a bye on 10/3.
What are they going to do. Kick us out of the league?
Good article of Yale transfers to other schools: https://yaledailynews.com/articles/eight-bulldogs-commit-to-transferring-citing-various-reasons