Coaches | Houston Texans - HoustonTexans.com
Biography
Zach Yenser enters his first season with the Texans as an offensive line coach in 2024. He previously spent the last two seasons as the offensive line coach at the University of Kentucky. Yenser owns 16 years of coaching experience, including three years at the NFL level.
Zach Yenser enters his first season with the Texans as an offensive line coach in 2024. He previously spent the last two seasons as the offensive line coach at the University of Kentucky. Yenser owns 16 years of coaching experience, including three years at the NFL level.
In his time at Kentucky (2022-23), Yenser coached a mix of veterans, like Kenneth Horsey, Tashawn Manning and Outland Trophy Watch Lister Eli Cox, as well as young talent, like Deondre Buford and All-SEC Freshman Teamer Jager Burton. Yenser coached an offensive line that protected and made holes for 2023 NFL Draftees, Will Levis and Chris Rodriquez Jr. Yenser's offensive line helped Levis rank fifth in the SEC in passing efficiency (151.87), while also guiding Rodriquez Jr. to five games of 100-plus yards rushing.
Prior to coming to Lexington, during his final season with San Francisco (2021-22), Yenser worked with offensive line coach Chris Foerster to help the 49ers finish 10-7 in the regular season and advance to the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three seasons. The offensive line did not allow a sack during postseason play, the first time a squad hasn't allowed a sack in two or more postseason games since the New England Patriots in 2018. San Francisco ranked seventh in the NFL in total offense (375.7 yards per game), averaging 248.3 passing yards and 127.4 rushing yards per game.
In 2019, San Francisco's offense became one of the best in the NFL. The 49ers finished second overall in rushing yards per game (141.1) and fourth in the NFL in total offense (381.1 yards per game). The team's success on the ground continued in the postseason, as the 49ers offense rushed for an average of 204.0 yards per game. The 49ers finished the season with an NFC-best 13-3 record, winning the NFL Championship to advance to their seventh Super Bowl in franchise history, their first since 2013.
Highlights of Yenser's collegiate coaching include two seasons as the offensive line coach at the University of California. In 2014, the Bears registered single-season records for passing yards (4,152), passing touchdowns (37), average total yards per game (495.2) and passing first downs (188). Yenser developed sophomore OL Chris Borrayo into Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 honors.
In 2013, Cal's offense finished the regular season ranked third in the Pac-12, averaging 331.4 yards per game. The 5,443 yards of total offense by the Bears was the third-highest in school history and its 453.6 average yards per game ranked fourth all-time. Over the team's final five games of the season, the Bears averaged 37.8 more rushing yards per game than it had the first seven games.
Before arriving at Cal, Yenser spent three seasons at Louisiana Tech under head coach Sonny Dykes, first as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line (2010-11), followed by one season (2012) as the team's assistant offensive line coach. In 2011, the Bulldogs were the Western Athletic Champions, finishing with an 8-5 overall record. Louisiana Tech appeared in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl that season, their first bowl appearance since 2008.
In 2012, Louisiana Tech finished with a 9-3 record and led the NCAA in both points per game (51.5) and total offense (577.9 yards per game) in addition to ranking third in passing yards per game (350.8). Yenser helped three players earn First-Team All-WAC honors during his three seasons at Louisiana Tech, with OL Stephen Warner earning the recognition twice (2011-12) and OL Kris Cavitt (2011) and OL Jordan Mills (2012) each being named First-Team once. OL Oscar Johnson and OL Kevin Sia added Second-Team All-WAC honors in 2012. Despite one of the best seasons in school history, the team did not accept a bowl bid in 2012.
In 2009, Yenser was an assistant coach at Colquitt County (Norman Park, GA) High School, where he helped guide the Packers to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the Georgia 5-A state semifinals. In 2008, he served as the offensive line coach at Henderson State University.
As a graduate assistant under Schlarman in 2007, Yenser helped the Trojans lead the Sun Belt in both points per game (34.0) and yards per game (452.8). Troy went on to earn a share of the Sun Belt Conference title with an 8-4 record.
He went on to play his freshman collegiate season at East Tennessee State before transferring to Troy, where he earned a starting spot at center on the offensive line from 2003-06. He appeared in 42 consecutive games during his career, helping the Trojans win the Sun Belt Conference and the New Orleans Bowl as a senior in 2006. That season, he was voted a team captain by his peers and was named a First-Team All-Sun Belt selection.
Yenser graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication and fine arts from Troy in 2007 and later earned his master's degree in science with a concentration in sports performance from Louisiana Tech in 2012.
He and his wife, Beth, have two sons, Graham and Max.
Pro Bowl Players Coached (3): T Trent Williams (2020-21), C Alex Mack (2021), G Laken Tomlinson (2021)