Yale quarterback Dante Reno shines in tribute to late coach father

On Oct. 4, 2026, in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale quarterback Dante Reno delivered a career‑best performance, throwing four touchdowns for 298 yards in a 41‑24 victory over Merrimack, just one day after his father, head coach Tony Reno, died.

The win mattered far beyond the scoreboard; it served as a public tribute to a coach who had transformed the Bulldogs into a modern powerhouse and offered a rallying point for a team and community processing loss.

Dante’s four‑touchdown, 298‑yard effort paced Yale’s offense and secured the Bulldogs’ second win of the season, restoring momentum after the emotional shock of the coach’s passing.

After the game, the quarterback posted on X, “This one’s for you pops,” and told reporters, “I know him, and I know my dad, and he would want nothing less than for me to go out there and play.” His words highlighted a personal resolve to honor his father’s legacy on the field.

Yale athletic director Vicky Chun praised Tony Reno’s impact, noting his humility, compassion, and dedication to mentorship, and expressed the university’s thoughts for the Reno family while acknowledging the significance of Dante’s performance.

Tony Reno, 52, coached Yale for 14 seasons, compiling an 83‑49 record, the second‑most wins in program history, and guiding the Bulldogs to five Ivy League championships. In 2025 the team became the Ivy League’s first automatic FCS playoff qualifier and earned its inaugural postseason victory over Youngstown State.

Dante transferred to Yale in 2025 after beginning his collegiate career at South Carolina, choosing to play under his father. He has said his dad is “everything” and that the entire reason he plays football is because of him.

The victory not only honors the late coach but also positions Yale favorably for the rest of the season, with the Bulldogs set to face their next opponent next week amid a surge of national interest in the family’s story.