Tim Janecek joined Tony Reno’s staff in March 2023 as defensive line coach and made an immediate impact, helping the Bulldogs capture an Ivy League championships in two of his first three seasons (2023 and 2025).
In 2025, the Bulldogs led the Ivy League in sacks by a wide margin (35), forced fumbles (13) and opponent third down conversion rate (36.2%). After the regular season, three of Janecek's linemen were named to the All-Ivy Team, including Ezekiel Larry to the first team, Zairion Jackson-Bass to the second team and Jaylin Tate as an honorable mention.
The Bulldogs were third in the Ivy League in sacks in 2023 (22), and under Janecek's guidance, four of his linemen — Clay Patterson (First Team), Ejiroghene Egodogbare (First Team), Tamatoa McDonough (Second Team) and Alvin Gulley Jr. (Honorable Mention) — earned All-Ivy recognition in 2023.
Janecek arrived at Yale after an accomplished tenure at North Central College (Ill.), where he served as defensive line coach and strength coordinator beginning in 2015. During that stretch, North Central emerged as one of the premier programs in Division III, highlighted by national championships in 2019 and 2022. The 2022 Cardinals went 15-0, allowing fewer than seven points per game. That season, Janecek mentored All-America defensive tackle Dan Lester and guided four defensive linemen to All-CCIW honors — a first in program history.
Across his eight seasons at North Central, Janecek coached three All-North Region honorees and 11 All-CCIW selections. His 2017 unit led the nation in sacks per game (4.25), and in 2016 the Cardinals set a program record with 51 sacks.
As a player, Janecek was a four-year letterwinner and two-year starter at defensive end for North Central (2006–09). A two-time All-CCIW selection, he helped the Cardinals to four conference titles and three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history in 2011.
Following his playing career, Janecek launched his coaching path as a graduate assistant at North Central in 2013 before serving as defensive line coach at Aurora University in 2014.
