Mike Yeagle and Dale Mueller Inducted Into The NKADA Hall of Fame

[Mustang]

Legendary football coaches Mike Yeagle and Dale Mueller, two local guys who were graduates of the school where they achieved their hall of fame status, were inducted into the Northern Kentucky Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, along with 13 other inductees, Thursday night at Receptions in Erlanger.

 

While their selection to this prestigious group was inevitable, and somewhat a formality, what each had to say while on the dias was of interest.

 

Mike Yeagle who stepped away from the sidelines at Beechwood in 2004 has somewhat dropped off of the Northern Kentucky sports radar screen, demonstrated that he still has a fire burning strongly in his furnace, vehemently decrying the six division setup ("Yea, I know - Everybody gets a trophy"), the fact that nearly everyone makes the playoffs ("Back when the playoffs meant something, when only the district champion advanced"), when teams had respect for each other and played defense ("they didn't run up the scores, and games were won 7-0 or 14-7). Yeagle also got his shots in on the University of Cincinnati football program who play some of their games on Friday nights ("Send them letters, telling them that Friday nights belong to high school football."). Mike also didn't hesitate to mention his own fighting his personal demons and recognized several friends in the audience who helped him get through some tough times.

 

Just from listening to Mike I can readily understand why his players would run through a brick wall for him. He also readily acknowledged that "I never made a tackle or carried the ball a yard while coaching" and gave all the credit to his players. He even made fun of himself in talking of his tenure as the Beechwood basketball coach for two years. I'm going to guess Mike to be 53ish, but he mesmerised the crowd during his time on dias last night and I would never hesitate to ask him to serve as a motivational speaker to any group of businessmen or athletes. His record of 8 state championships and a win-loss record of 171-24 speaks for itself.

 

Yeagle bleeds Beechwood red. He played there, coached there, and is still passionate about what goes on there. There are times that you can sit in the audience and listen to a speaker and recognize greatness. This was one of those times.

 

If Mike Yeagle is the ying of a football style, Dale Mueller is the yang. Total opposites.

 

I was amazed at how laid back and gracious Mueller is, to the point of wondering how he was ever a successful football coach. Mueller would be a great candidate for the old TV show "What's My Line?" It's obvious that taking the businesslike approach, having confidence in his assistant coaches, and surrounding himself with talented players was his recipe for success in Fort Thomas. Eleven state championships and a win-loss record of 250-36. It looks like his methods, much as Yeagle's methods both work.

 

While Mike Yeagle wanted to win 7-0, Mueller admitted that sometimes his teams needed sixty or seventy points to win, and that the Bluebirds success formula was to outscore you. He told a funny story of watching a football game at home with his wife, when the camera was on fans holding the traditional D and Picket Fence. His wife asked him why they were holding up D-Gate??? Mueller laughed and admitted that sometimes his teams while winning championship after championship often needed to play better D-Gate, and laments the fact that his team in the final game of his career allowed an 85 yard drive to defeat them.

 

Congratulations to both fine coaches. It was truly all-star night at the NKADA banquet.

[SportsGuy41017]

Thanks for the post. Hard to believe that it's already been 10 years since Yeagle was at Beechwood.

[theguru]

Thanks for posting, sounds like Mike Yeagle is still Mike Yeagle.

 

I had the honor and privilege of both playing for and coaching with Mike Yeagle, I am a lucky man.

[ggclfan]

If you have a Mt. Rushmore of Northern Kentucky coaches (probably for all sports, not just football), those two are definitely on it...

[bjaynes]

If you have a Mt. Rushmore of Northern Kentucky coaches (probably for all sports, not just football), those two are definitely on it...

 

I am thinking the side of the "cut in the hill" is the perfect spot.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Very cool, Mustang. Thanks a lot for sharing. I miss the days of having boisterous coaches like Yeagle around.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Anyone know if the NKADA has a website and/or a public listing of their hall-of-famers? Seems like that should be something pretty basic for them to have out there for the general public to see...

[Voice of Reason]

Congratulations to both coaches on well deserved recognition.

[75center]

Great to see both these fine men being honored. As stated, it was inevitable. Mike was a few years behind me at Beechwood but even in middle school he had a fire and would not back down from the seniors which led to some interesting interactions. My son loved playing for Dale, particularly when he would run steps with the team, and my daughter who never attended a game in her life adored him as an AP Physics teacher. That tells me a lot about him. Congratulations to both!

[hrcarrier]

Undoubtedly two of the greatest all time in the Commonwealth.

[FanofMany]

Mike Yeagle doesn't mince words!

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

Mike Yeagle doesn't mince words!

 

Never has :thumb:

[mexitucky]

Y eagle as a baseball coach, "Brad, are you going to look over here and get a signal? Too late now. I was going to bunt you to second. Better not get thrown out because you have to steal now."

 

It was awesome.

[Mustang]

Anyone know if the NKADA has a website and/or a public listing of their hall-of-famers? Seems like that should be something pretty basic for them to have out there for the general public to see...

Melvin Webster and Ron Madrick are pretty much the powers behind the NKADA. They are pretty much print copy guys. Mel puts out a super-comprehensive program at the banquet which has the entire history of the event, inductees, and even a list of where the event was held since its inception back in 1984 (Quality Inn - Riverview) and who the emcees were (Bob Knauf).

 

However, there is no listing of a website.

[goford]

Congratulations to Dale and Mike! Unbelievable successful coaches, and both are great guys who kid's absolutely love playing for. They are very different personalities, but both of these guys were exactly the same in terms of work ethic. I was fortunate to have been on Mike's staff for his 1st 2 State Championships. Mike watched film every waking hour to prepare for every opponent. It didn't matter if we were playing Ludlow, or Pikville.....Mike prepared each week like it was the last game he would ever coach. But, the best part was always his pre-game talks to the players. All of us as coaches would make sure we didn't miss his inspiring words week after week. If Mike Yeagle was still coaching, his record would be crazy. To be honest, I always thought he would go on to college much like Kerry Combs. He would be one of best recruiters in America. I am so grateful for my experience with Mike. Just being on his staff gave me the opportunity to be a head coach. Great guy and very well deserved.