Prior to his first stint at Yale, Reno served as a defensive coordinator and secondary coach at his alma mater, Worcester State. In his time with there, the Lancers posted a 27-5 overall record and made two playoff appearances. For his efforts, Reno was named the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2002.

He was announced as the Bulldogs newest coach—and its third in five years—at a 4 p.m. press conference at the Yale Bowl in New Haven. Reno reportedly beat out Lehigh offensive coordinator Dave Cecchini for the job.

“I understand the honor and the tradition of Yale football,” Reno said. “I want to build on that tradition, to build on that winning attitude and success.”

Reno said he had already begun recruiting on Thursday. He will replace former coach Tom Williams, who resigned on Dec. 21 amidst allegations that he lied on his resume in regards to his candidacy for the Rhodes Scholarship as an undergraduate at Stanford.

“We were looking for someone who understands what it takes to win, and we have found that individual,” Yale athletic director Tom Beckett said. “Tony Reno is a teacher, a leader of young men, and he loves Yale, and he loves the men of Yale football.”

Reno will now be faced with the task of turning around a program that did not meet preseason expectations last season, finishing 5-5. The Bulldogs have lost 10 of its last 11 meetings with Harvard in The Game, a mark Reno is eager to begin trying to turn around.

“Our team is going to be ready to go mentally, physically, and emotionally for each one of its football games,” Reno said. “I really can’t wait to get started.”