Tyler Yelk joined coach Bob Nielson and the Leatherneck Football program in January 2013 as an assistant coach. Yelk, an All-American defensive back, coaches the defensive backs. He was promoted to co-defensive coordinator prior to the 2015 season.
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During his first year, the secondary proved to be one of the team’s strengths led by Second Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection Martinez Davis. The same four players started every game at cornerback and both safety positions.
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The top five secondary personnel accounted for nine interceptions (including two that were ran back for a touchdown), 13 tackles for a loss, 17 pass break-ups, three fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles. Western finished the year ranked third nationally in passing defense, seventh in total defense and 14th in pass efficiency defense.
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The Leathernecks’ special teams unit turned in one of the best seasons in program history during the 2014 campaign. The squad led the MVFC and ranked 11th nationally with six blocked kicks, including three blocked punts (10th in the country) in which one was returned for a touchdown. Western had individuals ranked seventh and 17th in the country in blocked kicks. Leading the kicking game was Nathan Knuffman, seventh nationally with a .917 conversion percentage in field goals.
During the off-season, Yelk was selected to speak overseas to coaches in the German Professional Football League at the adidas world headquarters.
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Yelk joined Western Illinois following a standout playing and coaching career at Minnesota-Duluth. He became the only Bulldog to win a National Championship both as a player and coach. In his four years coaching at UMD, Yelk worked with the defensive backs and was the special teams coordinator. He also served as the program's recruiting coordinator. He was an assistant coach on the 2010 team that finished a perfect 15-0, capturing the program's second national title.
During his four-year coaching career at UMD, his players received two All-America awards, five All-Region honors and 11 All-Conference selections.
As the special teams coordinator, his placekicker earned both All-Region and All-America honors. Four players on special teams earned All-Conference accolades, and his kicker Dave Nadeau earned a NFL tryout with the Green Bay Packers. His kickoff return unit ranked first nationally in kickoff return yards and touchdowns.
The all-time leading tackler in Bulldog history (323), Yelk closed out his career earning three different All-America honors and was a two-time First Team All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference/North Central Conference selection. He became the only Bulldog ever to lead the team in tackles for three consecutive years, then finished third his senior year. Â He was a starter on the 2008 team coached by Nielson that went undefeated en route to the program's first Division II national title.
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Yelk competed in the Cactus Bowl, an All-Star game for seniors at the NCAA Division II level, along with his teammate and fellow Leatherneck assistant coach Ted Schlafke.
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A native of Arlington, Wisconsin, Yelk earned his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from UMD. He was pursuing a master's degree at UMD. He is married to the former Elyce Rehmke.
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