A source with knowledge of the rest of the Kansas University football coaching staff told The Journal-World on Tuesday night that Cal assistant coach Zach Yenser would join Beaty’s staff as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator.
Cal coach Sonny Dykes later confirmed the news via a statement given to Cal’s Rivals.com site.
Yenser, 30, spent the past two seasons at Cal working alongside new KU offensive coordinator Rob Likens, who was identified Monday night as KU’s new OC. Beaty confirmed the Likens hire on Tuesday evening.
Prior to his time at Cal, Yenser worked with the O-Line at Louisiana Tech from 2010-12 and spent the 2008 season at Henderson State. A native of Marietta, Georgia, Yenser was a four-year starter at Troy before graduating in 2007. After his playing days were finished, Yenser began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, where he worked with the Trojans’ offensive line and special teams.
Beaty picking up two young and energetic assistant coaches from a program that finished the 2014 season sixth in the nation in total offense is a huge move forward for an offense that has struggled since the departure of former KU coach Mark Mangino and dynamic quarterback Todd Reesing.
Sources said that Yenser and Likens have a fantastic relationship and work extremely well together, using passion, contagious energy and lofty expectations to shape and motivate their offenses. Both come to KU well versed in the famed Air Raid offense, and, while Beaty and the rest of the offensive coaching staff figure to add their own wrinkles to the system, KU fans can expect to see the return of high-flying, fast-paced, exciting offensive football to Memorial Stadium.
Although undoubtedly sad to see them go, third-year Cal coach Dykes released a statement about the departure of two of his top offensive assistants on Tuesday night.
“We wish Rob Likens and Zach Yenser all the best as they enter the next phase of their coaching careers,” said Dykes, according to Cal’s Rivals.com site. “It is a compliment to your football program when other teams find the coaches on your staff to be attractive hires. Throughout the past two seasons, Rob and Zach have made many important contributions to our football program, helping it grow both on and off the field, and their efforts helped build a strong foundation for success.”
