University of Houston Athletics
Hall of Famer Bill Yeoman Passes Away
8/12/2020 2:06:00 PM | Football
Houston’s first inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame led the Cougars from 1962 to 1986
HOUSTON – College Football Hall of Famer and Houston legend Bill Yeoman passed away Wednesday at the age of 92.
The first representative from the University of Houston to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, Yeoman coached the Cougars for a remarkable 25 seasons from 1962 to 1986. His 160 victories are the most in Houston's history.
Yeoman was the man responsible for turning the University of Houston football program from relative obscurity into national prominence in two-and-a-half decades. He guided the Cougars to four Southwest Conference championships and 11 bowl games, posting a 6-4-1 mark in postseason competition.
Off the field, Yeoman played a key role early in the integration of college athletics with the signing of running back Warren McVea in 1964 as the Cougars' first African-American Football student-athlete.
The Cougars had 17 winning seasons under Yeoman, including nine campaigns with at least eight victories. UH finished nationally ranked 11 times, concluding the 1976 season with its highest national ranking at No. 4 by both the Associated Press and United Press International.
Well known as an innovator on the playing field, Yeoman's greatest legacy may be the invention of the Veer Offense, an offense that gave opponents fits throughout his coaching years and had a tremendous impact not only in the Southwest Conference but the entire nation as well.
For three straight years Houston led the nation in total offense, averaging 437 yards a game in 1966, 427 in 1967, and 562 in 1968. The 1968 total was an NCAA record at the time. Houston also led the nation in scoring with 42.5 points a game that year.
Before coming to Houston, Yeoman served as an assistant coach at Michigan State from 1954-61 after spending three years in the United States Army. The Elnora, Ind., native played center for three seasons at Army (1946-48), serving as a captain in 1948 and helping the West Point institution to a 22-2-4 record in his time after transferring from Texas A&M where he earned a letter as a 17-year old freshman in the Aggies' program.
Yeoman was also a member of the Southwest Conference Hall of Honor, Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Champions. In 2002, Yeoman received the Paul Bear Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award.
A memorial to honor Coach Yeoman will be held at a later date. Details will be announced once they have been confirmed.
"For three decades, Coach Yeoman worked tirelessly to build the foundation and set the standard for success at the University of Houston. He was one of the most innovative minds in the history of the sport, securing his place in the College Football Hall of Fame. Coach Yeoman will always be beloved by his players and dedicated his life to helping them succeed on and off the playing field.
In his retirement, Coach Yeoman remained a passionate supporter of our athletics programs, and we are thankful for the progress he led in not only our Football program but our University as well.
On behalf of the University of Houston Football family, we extend our deepest condolences to the Yeoman Family, and may we never forget his love, loyalty and dedication to Houston."
Dana Holgorsen, University of Houston Head Football Coach
"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."
University of Houston System
Gift Processing & Records
PO Box 867
Houston, TX 77001
In Memory gifts can be made online here: https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/Yeoman or by texting "Yeoman" to 71777.
The first representative from the University of Houston to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, Yeoman coached the Cougars for a remarkable 25 seasons from 1962 to 1986. His 160 victories are the most in Houston's history.
Yeoman was the man responsible for turning the University of Houston football program from relative obscurity into national prominence in two-and-a-half decades. He guided the Cougars to four Southwest Conference championships and 11 bowl games, posting a 6-4-1 mark in postseason competition.
Off the field, Yeoman played a key role early in the integration of college athletics with the signing of running back Warren McVea in 1964 as the Cougars' first African-American Football student-athlete.
The Cougars had 17 winning seasons under Yeoman, including nine campaigns with at least eight victories. UH finished nationally ranked 11 times, concluding the 1976 season with its highest national ranking at No. 4 by both the Associated Press and United Press International.
Well known as an innovator on the playing field, Yeoman's greatest legacy may be the invention of the Veer Offense, an offense that gave opponents fits throughout his coaching years and had a tremendous impact not only in the Southwest Conference but the entire nation as well.
For three straight years Houston led the nation in total offense, averaging 437 yards a game in 1966, 427 in 1967, and 562 in 1968. The 1968 total was an NCAA record at the time. Houston also led the nation in scoring with 42.5 points a game that year.
Before coming to Houston, Yeoman served as an assistant coach at Michigan State from 1954-61 after spending three years in the United States Army. The Elnora, Ind., native played center for three seasons at Army (1946-48), serving as a captain in 1948 and helping the West Point institution to a 22-2-4 record in his time after transferring from Texas A&M where he earned a letter as a 17-year old freshman in the Aggies' program.
Yeoman was also a member of the Southwest Conference Hall of Honor, Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Champions. In 2002, Yeoman received the Paul Bear Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award.
A memorial to honor Coach Yeoman will be held at a later date. Details will be announced once they have been confirmed.
STATEMENTS ON COACH BILL YEOMAN'S PASSING
Chris Pezman, University of Houston Vice President for Athletics"For three decades, Coach Yeoman worked tirelessly to build the foundation and set the standard for success at the University of Houston. He was one of the most innovative minds in the history of the sport, securing his place in the College Football Hall of Fame. Coach Yeoman will always be beloved by his players and dedicated his life to helping them succeed on and off the playing field.
In his retirement, Coach Yeoman remained a passionate supporter of our athletics programs, and we are thankful for the progress he led in not only our Football program but our University as well.
On behalf of the University of Houston Football family, we extend our deepest condolences to the Yeoman Family, and may we never forget his love, loyalty and dedication to Houston."
Dana Holgorsen, University of Houston Head Football Coach
"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."
BILL YEOMAN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
The "Bill Yeoman Scholarship Endowment" has been established in honor of Coach Yeoman. Checks can be made out to "University of Houston" with the memo line to include either one of the following funds:
- "Bill Yeoman Football Scholarship Endowment"
University of Houston System
Gift Processing & Records
PO Box 867
Houston, TX 77001
In Memory gifts can be made online here: https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/Yeoman or by texting "Yeoman" to 71777.
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