Tony Reno’s game plan? Positivity, leadership, and a whole lot of Yale spirit. He’s coaching Bulldogs — and building future changemakers.
Playbook for leadership
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Tony Reno has led the Bulldogs as the Joel E. Smilow ’54 Head Coach of Football since 2012.
During Tony Reno’s tenure as the Joel E. Smilow ’54 Head Coach of Football, the Bulldogs have much to be proud of: four Ivy League championships in the last seven seasons, three straight wins over Harvard, five former players drafted into the NFL, and recognition as the Ivy League Coach of the Year in 2022.
Reno has led the team since 2012 and currently has 78 career victories (second only to the late Carm Cozza with 179). He coaches from a place of positivity and empowerment, using football as a vehicle to build leaders on and off the field.
Title: Joel E. Smilow ’54 Head Coach of Yale Football
Term in position: 13 years, 10 months
Record: 78 and 48
Can you describe your role and responsibilities?
As head coach, I do something a little different every day. It ranges from overseeing the offensive, defensive, and special teams game plans for the upcoming game, individual meetings with our student-athletes, managing our team budget, organizing travel logistics, or interacting with our incredible alumni who support our program.
Reno coaches from a place of positivity and empowerment, using football as a vehicle to build leaders on and off the field.
I also manage all aspects of our recruiting framework to ensure we are bringing the best and brightest student-athletes to Yale each year. Most importantly, I work hard to ensure that every player in our program has a great experience. It is an honor for me to be responsible for expressing the “why” behind our mission and team goals, and for motivating our student-athletes to contribute daily to a cohesive team culture and to the Yale community.
Reno works hard to ensure that every player has a great experience.
Our program has an incredible coaching staff and a whole array of support staff that help make Yale Football the best it can be. We are so fortunate to have committed, dedicated individuals who genuinely want the best for our student-athletes.
Coach Reno and members of his coaching staff.
Did you always want to be a coach or in the athletics field?
Absolutely! I can’t picture myself in any other profession. As an undergraduate, I was a three-year starter at free safety at Worcester State College and really loved playing football. I got into coaching after college, and I love it because it gives me a platform for developing young men into leaders. At Yale, our students are preparing to be leaders in a diverse range of professions, helping to shape the world and make a positive impact. Yale football is an extension of that learning experience.
Reno manages all aspects of the team’s recruiting framework to ensure they are bringing the best and brightest student-athletes to Yale each year.
I’m humbled by the enormous potential that our players have for growth and success. Our players graduate and become doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs; you name it, we’ve got it. I see it as my job to help them develop and prepare for those challenges. It is not just about winning football games here at Yale; it is about helping them become great members of society.
At Yale, our students are preparing to be leaders in a diverse range of professions, helping to shape the world and make a positive impact. Yale football is an extension of that learning experience.
How would you describe your leadership style?
As coaches, we aren’t out there on the field playing and competing. I understand that the decision-making, mindset, and the coordination of our student-athletes are what will determine the outcome of our games. For this reason, we are a player-led team. My goal is to empower our group to develop as leaders because it is their leadership and relationships with one another that will help us win.
Reno paced the sidelines the Bulldogs took on the Stonehill Skyhawks last month.
What is your favorite part about working at Yale?
Working at Yale is truly a blessing. The faculty and community here are so capable and always ready to help. The residential college deans are outstanding in what they provide for our students.
When retired U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal was teaching here, I had the opportunity to connect with him and develop our leadership program. Whenever I reach out to people working here, whether its staff, or faculty, they are always willing to help and manage to find creative solutions to any issues.
Do you prepare differently for The Game? What is your favorite part about this rivalry?
The history of the Game itself is incredible, but each week we play YvY — Yale versus Yale. The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday. They know that each week, they will go up against a strong opponent, so if they can be a better version of themselves from the prior week, then they should get the outcome they want.
Every season, Reno aims to empower the team to develop as leaders.
We prepare for The Game just as we do for the other nine games we play. There are no specific traditions before the Game. The team has an incredible work ethic and comes to practice with enthusiasm.
Tickets for The Game
The 141st edition of The Game will start at noon on Saturday, November 22, at the Yale Bowl Class of 1954 Field. Yale employees are eligible for one complimentary general admission ticket, and additional tickets can be purchased online, at the ticketing office on the first floor of Payne Whitney Gymnasium, or by phone at (203) 432-1400.
Yale Football Team Creed
“I vow to believe in the process. I am mentally and physically tough. I compete with passion and overcome any challenges. I stand tall alongside my family at all times. I challenge my brother, believe in him, and hold him accountable. As I create my own path, I always put team before myself, I strive for excellence on and off the field, and I hold myself to a higher standard. I am a Yale football player.”
