Speaker Profile Thumbnail for Bill Yoast

Former High School Football Coach | Inspiration Behind Remember the Titans | Speaker on Leadership and Teamwork

Bill Yoast Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Former High School Football Coach | Inspiration Behind Remember the Titans | Speaker on Leadership and Teamwork

Speaker Profile Thumbnail for Bill Yoast
Speaking Fee:
$10,000 to $20,000

Travels From:
DCA - Washington, DC

Primary Topic Category:
Inspiration / Motivation / Overcoming Obstacles

Secondary Topic Category:
Football

 

Bill Yoast Speaker Profile: At A Glance

Bill Yoast was a highly respected high school football coach best known for his role in the true story behind Remember the Titans. As the longtime defensive coordinator at T.C. Williams High School, he helped lead the team to an undefeated season and state championship in 1971. His leadership and commitment to teamwork played a key role in uniting a newly integrated team during a time of social change. Yoast’s story continues to inspire audiences with lessons on leadership, resilience, and the power of sports to bring people together.

Bill Yoast was born in 1924 in Florence, Alabama, where he grew up during the Great Depression. Raised by a single mother, he worked alongside sharecroppers, picking cotton to help support his family. Despite these challenges, Yoast excelled in athletics, participating in football, basketball, and track during his high school years. His passion for sports continued after he served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Following his military service, he pursued higher education, earning a degree in physical education from Mercer University and later obtaining advanced degrees from Peabody College in Nashville. Yoast began his coaching career in Georgia, where he led teams in football, basketball, track, and baseball. His dedication to fostering inclusivity was evident early on; he left a coaching position in Sparta, Georgia, after being reprimanded for allowing a Black baseball team to use the school's showers—a decision that reflected his commitment to equality. In 1960, Yoast moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to become the head football coach at the predominantly white Francis C. Hammond High School. Under his leadership, Hammond achieved significant success, winning the regional championship in 1969. However, in 1971, Alexandria's high schools were integrated, merging Hammond with other schools to form T.C. Williams High School. Despite expectations that Yoast would lead the newly formed team, the head coach position was awarded to Herman Boone, an African American coach. Demonstrating humility and a commitment to unity, Yoast accepted the role of defensive coordinator under Boone. Together, they guided the Titans to an undefeated season and a state championship, helping to bridge racial divides within the team and the community. The remarkable story of the 1971 Titans gained national attention and was later immortalized in the 2000 Disney film "Remember the Titans," in which Yoast was portrayed by actor Will Patton. The film highlighted Yoast's integral role in promoting teamwork and racial harmony during a pivotal time in American history. After retiring from coaching in 1996, Yoast continued to inspire others through speaking engagements, sharing his experiences on leadership, resilience, and the transformative power of sports. He passed away on May 23, 2019, at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy that continues to motivate and unite individuals across generations.
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