Yanowsky completed his second season on the UTEP coaching staff. He was elevated to special teams coordinator after serving as the assistant the first three games. He brings over three decades of coaching experience on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
The UTEP defense registered 34 passes broken up and 40 passes defended (six interceptions). Yanowsky’s main focus on defense was tutoring the safeties as junior transfer Kahani Smith tied for the team lead with two interceptions, ranked seventh on the defense with 46 tackles and registered three pass breakups. Smith also led the UTEP defense with two touchdowns – a 52-yard pick-six at Army and a 45-yard scoop-and-score (longest fumble return in C-USA during 2017 season) at North Texas. Smith’s two fumble recoveries ranked tied for 21st in FBS and tied for fourth in C-USA.
Senior Devin Cockrell led all UTEP defensive backs and ranked tied for 41st in C-USA in total tackles (61). Cockrell’s tackles ranked 17th by a defensive back in C-USA. Sophomore Michael Lewis, who missed all of 2016, registered 47 tackles (sixth most on team) and three breakups.
UTEP’s pass defense (212.3 y/g allowed) and total completions allowed (215) each ranked tied for sixth in conference. The Miners allowed only 208 passing yards against WKU, who led C-USA and ranked sixth in FBS with 333.7 yards per game. The Miners also held the Hilltoppers to a season-low 15 points (C-USA only game) as they averaged 28.2 points in eight league contests. WKU also tallied a season-low 287 yards of total offense as it averaged 399.8 yards per game. Prolific WKU quarterback Mike White, who led the league and ranked third in FBS with 3,826 passing yards, threw for a season-low 208 on 24 completions against the Miners’ defense. UTEP allowed 213 passing yards against North Texas, which ranked second in C-USA in passing yards per game (284.9).
The UTEP defense was one of three C-USA schools not to allow a long play of 70-plus yards. UTEP’s defense also scored three touchdowns, the most since scoring four in 2008. Yanowsky also directed the special teams effort as UTEP ranked fifth in C-USA in kickoff return average (21.6).
Junior Terry Juniel resumed kickoff return duties during week four and responded by averaging 25.4 yards per return – good for third in C-USA and 26th in FBS. Juniel registered six kickoff returns of 30 or more yards, including a career-high and team-high 59-yard return at Southern Miss. Juniel took one 53 yards against LA Tech, recorded a 49-yard return at Middle Tennessee and a 41-yard dash versus UTSA.
Senior Alan Luna saw much success as the El Paso native ranked 19th in FBS and third in C-USA in punting average (44.1). Luna connected on a season-long 65-yard boot at North Texas, while registering a career-most 414 yards on nine punts at Middle Tennessee. Luna’s 79 punts in 2017 is tied for fifth on the program’s single-season list, while his 3,483 yards in 2017 rank fifth on the school’s single-season list. Luna finished his career ranked third on the program’s all-time list in career punts (206) and career punt yards (8,910).
UTEP’s kickoff return defense (16.9) ranked seventh in FBS and led C-USA.
Jason Filley, a walk-on junior kicker, took over kicking duties against UTSA and connected on his first two collegiate extra points. Filley, the next week at Middle Tennessee, then connected on his first college field goal, a 26-yard attempt. Filley finished 7-for-7 on PATs and made a pair of field goals, including a 27-yard attempt at North Texas. Filley ranked second on the team with 13 points, behind Brady Viles’ 14 points (one field goal, 11 PATs).
Yanowsky mentored the safeties, including FS Devin Cockrell and SS Dashon Smith in 2016. Cockrell and Smith started all 12 games at their respective positions. Cockrell led all UTEP defensive backs in tackles (58), while ranking fourth overall on the defense. Smith led the Miners with a pair of interceptions and ranked sixth on the team in tackles (53). Smith picked off a pass in the end zone during UTEP’s 5OT win at UTSA and came up with another pick the next week versus Old Dominion.
Sophomore Michael Lewis, who played a solid first year in 2015, will return for Yanowsky and was the no. 1 free safety listed on the 2017 Spring Depth Chart.
The Miners’ pass defense ranked third in C-USA (209.0 avg.) as the safeties excelled in the backfield. UTEP also ranked fifth in total defense (419.3 yards allowed per game).
Recently Yanowsky, known as “Yano” in football circles, assumed duties as the special teams coordinator for two seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks (2014-15) of the Canadian Football League. Ottawa won the East Division with a 12-6 overall record. The Redblacks defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 35-28, in the Eastern Final to reach the 103rd Grey Cup against the Edmonton Eskimos.
The native of Chicago made his CFL debut with the Calgary Stampeders as the linebackers coach in 2012. Yanowsky held the position for two years. Calgary played in the 100th Grey Cup (2012).
Prior to joining the professional ranks, Yanowsky was the tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator at Memphis for two seasons (2010-11). It was his second stint with the Tigers, as he assumed duties with the offensive line and as recruiting coordinator (1989-95).
Yanowsky coached the tight ends at LSU in 2009, while also serving as the recruiting coordinator. Before coaching in Baton Rouge, Yanowsky coached two seasons (2007-08) at Boston College, serving as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator.
Yanowsky’s tight ends combined to catch 73 passes for 719 yards and five scores in 2007. The Eagles went 11-3, as they defeated Michigan State, 24-21, at the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl. Boston College also advanced to the 2008 Music City Bowl against Vanderbilt.
Prior to his arrival at Boston College, Yanowsky spent the 2006 season coaching tight ends and special teams under Skip Holtz at East Carolina. He coached at Duke for three years (2003-05), coaching the offensive line for two years, and the outside linebackers and special teams for one season.
Steve Logan hired Yanowsky at East Carolina for the first time in 2001, coaching the defensive line, and helping the Pirates earn a berth in the GMAC Bowl that year.
Other coaching stops for Yanowsky include a four-year stint (1997-2000) at Arkansas State; a one-year stay at Minnesota (1996) to coach the defensive line; and a three-year stay at Utah (1982-84) as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator.
Yanowsky got his start in coaching in 1981 when he was hired as a student assistant coach at his alma mater Toledo. He started two years at the offensive guard position for the Rockets (1979-80). Prior to transferring to Toledo, Yanowsky played at Snow Junior College at the same position (1978-79). From 1985-1987, Yanowsky coached at the high school level, serving as offensive coordinator at Bountiful (Utah) High School and later as the head coach at Viewmont High School in Utah, before returning to the collegiate ranks in 1989 at Memphis.
A 1982 graduate of Toledo, Yanowsky earned a degree in Education. Yanowsky is married to the former Janet Free and the couple has two sons, Donnie and Jacob.
