The bell rings, signaling the end of sixth-period Spanish. “¡Adiós, gringos!” Spanish teacher Bret Yeilding calls after the students slowly trickling out the door. He finishes some grading from the previous week’s quiz, and heads out, not to his car to head home, but to the football field.

Yeilding has been teaching Spanish at the school for 15 years, but what most people don’t realize about him is that he has a passion for coaching football. Yeilding has had more than 20 years of coaching experience in Fresno and Leigh High School and a few years coaching girls’ basketball.  This year, he is back to coaching and enjoying his time as an assistant coach for the football team.

“I’ve been coaching for most of my adult life, and I haven’t coached in a while because my son was playing and I wanted to watch him play,” Yeilding said. “But now that he’s done, I’m getting back into it.”

Football requires a large time commitment from players as well as coaches. Even though practices can be overwhelming, Yielding has managed to strike a balance between his teaching and coaching.

“There are long hours, but it’s totally worth it. Coaching has never been work for me, it’s always been something fun for me,” Yeilding said. “We have some great kids. I love working with them, and I love football, so I’m having a great time.”

Yeilding’s positive attitude is reflected in his coaching methods as well. Patience is the key to all sports, and he embodies that advice.

Spanish isn’t as different to football as most people would expect. When training new players, Yeilding thinks it is best to break things up into steps, which he believes makes the learning process easier for the coach and the player. Always start from the basics, like learning a language.

“Both are essentially teaching, so you’re trying to have a desired outcome. In Spanish, I want them to develop some language. In football, I want them to develop skill,” Yeilding said. “But how do I get there? Just by breaking it down and working in pieces.”

Coaching football has its lasting rewards for Yeilding as he sees steady signs of improvement with every practice.

“The best part about coaching is contributing to players having a positive experience,” Yeilding said. “And going and kicking someone’s butt on Friday night. That’s always pretty fun.”