Scotty Yates joined the University of the Incarnate Word football program as quality control coach in June 2019. Yates will work with the defensive backs.
During the 2019 season, Yates worked with DB’s coach Darren Garrigan, helping guide UIW to five wins.
Yates helped freshman DB Jaylon Jimmerson earn third team All-Southland Conference honors and a HERO Sports Freshman All-America honorable mention accolade.
UIW forced 33 turnovers through its 12 games, which led the nation even through the first round of the FCS Playoffs and ultimately ranked third nationally. UIW had a 1.33 turnover margin, also a nation best.
The Cardinals snagged 17 interceptions, a conference-high mark that also ranked seventh nationally. Their 16 fumbles recovered ranked third. UIW had a takeaway in 23 consecutive games between 2017 and 2019. UIW’s defense scored four touchdowns, which led the SLC and ranked fifth in the nation.
Prior to UIW, Yates spent two seasons at Richardson Pearce High School as the co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach. During his time at Pearce, Yates helped lead the Mustangs to two consecutive Bi-District Championships.
In 2018, the Mustangs knocked off Cedar Hill HS in the playoffs, which was voted as the number one upset in Texas.
In 2017, Yates mentored a defense that was voted one of the most improved in the state (TXHSFB). He was instrumental in leading the team to its first playoff win in eight years.
Prior to Pearce, Yates coached at Texas A&M Commerce, were he won three consecutive Lone Star Conference Championships. He started as a student assistant in 2014 before being a graduate assistant working with cornerbacks. He later was promoted to associate director of football operations.
In 2016, the Lions led the LSC and were fourth in the nation with 23 interceptions. Nine different defensive backs recorded at least one interception. This bolstered a Lion defense that led the nation with 38 takeaways.
Reggie Kincade also boosted the turnover effort, ranking seventh in the nation in fumble recoveries. The Lions led the conference and were second in the nation with seven defensive touchdowns. They also led the conference in scoring defense. Yusef Sterling-Lowe had a team-high four interceptions and ranked first in the LSC with two interception returns for touchdowns.
Under Yates, Uriah Harris earned LSC Defensive Back of the Year and received second team all-region and first team All-LSC honors in 2016. That same season, Sterling-Lowe and Trey Porter received All-LSC honorable mention recognition.
In 2015, the Lions reached new heights and made the NCAA playoffs for the first time in 25 years. Yates was responsible for the star position. Here, he helped produced Davarus Shores, who went on to sign a two-year contract with the BC Lions (CFL).
During his time at TAMUC, He helped produced multiple all-conference student-athletes, one all-region student-athlete, one LSC Defensive Back of the Year and one All-American.
After beginning his academic career at Southeastern Oklahoma State, Yates took a hiatus to serve our country, where he spent four years in the Air Force, including one tour oversees.
The Mabank, Texas, native, earned a bachelor’s degree in global learning in 2015 in while working at TAMUC as a student assistant.
