Steven Vashel, who has coached football at seven different schools in the Northeast, joined the Yale defensive staff in 2010. He currently serves as special teams coordinator while also coaching outside linebackers and specialists, contributing to four Ivy League championships (2017, 2019, 2022, 2023).
Vashel coached defensive backs from 2014 through 2016, then added outside linebackers to his responsibilities in 2017 while continuing as special teams coordinator. He has mentored standout players such as Foyesade Oloukun, an All-Ivy selection and sixth-round NFL Draft pick with the Atlanta Falcons, who led the NFL in tackles in 2021 and 2022 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also coached 2016 team MVP Jason Alessi and All-Ivy selection Dale Harris, as well as Spencer Rymiszewski (First Team) and Cole Champion (Honorable Mention) in 2015. In 2022, Vashel guided Jack Bosman, a First Team All-Ivy placekicker.
Before Yale, Vashel spent three seasons (2009-11) as defensive backs coach at the University of Maine, where his unit led the Colonial Athletic Association in pass defense in 2011. Two of his players, Jerron McMillian (fourth-round pick, Packers) and Trevor Coston (free agent, Bears), went on to NFL careers. He also coached defensive backs and kickers at Bucknell (2006-08) and served as defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Bates College (1999-2005).
Earlier in his career, Vashel held coaching positions at King’s College (1995-98), Harvard (1994), Springfield (1992–93), and Trinity (1991). He earned both his undergraduate degree and a master’s in sports management from Springfield College in 1994.
Vashel and his wife, Cathy, have two sons, Ethan and Cole.
