Yarno steps down as Sandpoint football coach after two-year stint

Cites family and personal matters in the decision

By ERIC PLUMMER

Sports editor

SANDPOINT — Citing personal family matters, Sandpoint head football coach George Yarno tendered his resignation on Thursday, capping a two year stint that saw his teams go 7-13 and make the state tournament both years.

Last season Yarno, 33, was named 4A Inland Empire League Coach of the Year in just his second season as a head coach. He installed a new Pistol offense, finishing 3-7 against a salty schedule and winning the two league games handily to earn a home playoff game.

Yarno boasts a strong coaching lineage, having played center in college under Chris Ault at Nevada and also at Idaho State. His father George Yarno Sr. played 10 seasons in the NFL and was a longtime college and pro offensive line coach, passing away shortly after Yarno Jr. took the Sandpoint job.

Yarno, who was a defensive line coach at Highland prior to taking the Sandpoint job, addressed his team on Thursday and broke the news to them first.

“Some personal and family matters in life that need more attention than I can give if I’m the head football coach,” said Yarno on Thursday. “The kids and community deserve more attention than I can give at this point.”

Yarno has a bright offensive football mind, and brings a fiery offensive lineman’s mentality to the head coaching position. Bulldog athletic director Kris Knowles said Yarno made it official on Thursday.

“He chose to resign for personal reasons,” said Knowles. “I want to thank George for his effort and time as football coach at Sandpoint High School.”

Meanwhile, Sandpoint will open the position up and go about finding a replacement as soon as possible.

“We’ve got a lot of things in place, a lot of good athletes,” claimed Knowles. “He leaves behind a lot of great kids, and won a league championship last year. We’ll start the search for a new coach relatively soon.”

Yarno will remain a P.E. teacher at Sandpoint for the time being, unsure of what the future holds. He said the sheer joy felt by his players after winning the league title this year is a memory that stands out most.

“They went to work for each other and with each other, and we won the IEL. That’s something that I’ll remember forever,” said Yarno. “Being able to lead a group of young men, that was pretty special.”

Yarno wished to thank SHS principal Tom Albertson and athletic director Kris Knowles for giving him a chance, and Sandpoint for being such a welcoming town.

“It really is a pretty special place on Friday night,” described Yarno. “And I’m grateful to have been a part of that for a few years.”