Spartans’ Yeager notches 100th win

Mountain Brook head football coach Chris Yeager won the 100th game of his coaching career in dramatic fashion on Oct. 2 when the Spartans edged Tuscaloosa County 17-16 in Northport on Mason Dillard’s field goal on the game’s final play.

The win was also his 75th as Mountain Brook’s head coach, but that all seemed afterthought among the excitement of the Spartan’s first Class 7A, Region 3 win.

 “I didn’t even think about it,” Yeager said of the milestone win. “There’s no doubt I’ll remember this one because of everything those kids gave, on both sides. This was a great high school football game. It came down to a play here and a play there. It’s a classic high school football game. To me that’s what this is about, it’s about kids learning from the experience.”

Yeager compiled 25 wins from 1991 to 1994 during two seasons as head coach at West Blocton and two years at Walker High School. His first win was 13-7 at Maplesville High School on Sept. 6, 1991. 

Yeager replaced Joey Jones as Spartans head coach in 2006. His first win as Mountain Brook coach was on Sept. 15 that season, a 35-21 win over Minor.

 “I’m like the flea that rides the greyhound that wins the greyhound race,” Yeager said. “I’ve rode a bunch of great teams and have been fortunate enough to be associated with a bunch of great teams and great coaches. It’s just a reflection of being blessed. I’ve got a lot to be thankful regardless of the win-loss record.”