Penn High School head football coach announces retirement
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - Cory Yeoman, head football coach at Penn High School, will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, the school announced Thursday.
Yeoman has been with the football program for 40 years, starting as Assistant Coach under Hall of Famer Coach Chris Geesman before taking over as head coach in 2003.
Coach Yeoman and Coach Geesman
As head coach, Yeoman compiled a 208-56 record. He also played for the team, graduating from Penn in 1980.
Coach Yeoman was named the Indianapolis Colts Indiana High School Coach of the Week on August 25, 2023 after the Kingsmen defeated longtime-rival Mishawaka in a 28-7 victory.
His last season also marked his 200th career victory, only the second coach to achieve the feat at Penn.
In addition to coaching, Yeoman is also a physical education and sports performance teacher.
To his players and coaches, Yeoman said:
“By far the best thing I have ever done as a coach or as a player is to surround myself with great people,” Coach Yeoman said. “You win with people! Thousands of people made this journey possible. Thank you to the Yeoman Family; for over 50 Years our mom, wives and daughters have let us boys play and coach the game we love for the school we love.”
“I would like to thank the hundreds of tough Kingsmen players in the ‘long black line;’ I am so proud of you,” he said. “I love you boys! It has been an honor being a member of ‘the long black line.’ It has been an honor to be one of ‘Gees’s boys.’ Go Penn Go!”
Yeoman said in retirement, he’s looking forward to spending time with his grandchild, wife and family and of course cheering on the Kingsmen.
“Coach Yeoman is a Kingsmen legend. He learned from the best [Coach Chris Geesman] and became the best,” said Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker. “Coach is highly respected across Indiana; and while we’ll miss him coaching on the sidelines, we know that he won’t be very far from Everwise Freed Field on Friday nights. Once a Kingsmen, always a Kingsmen!”
The Penn-Harris-Madison will start the search for a new head coach immediately.