Yelken – who takes over a Reinhardt program that is a four-time defending national champion – is the third head coach in program history.

The Woodstock, Ga., native and Woodstock High School graduate joins the Eagles after spending time with the Kennesaw State men's lacrosse team as both an assistant and head coach. As the lead Owl, Yelken had a 50-17 overall record at his Alma Mater and was named the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2016.

The newest Eagle, who also played lacrosse at Kennesaw State, joined the club in 2013 as an assistant before being promoted to Owl head coach in 2014.

Yelken's Career Highlights with Kennesaw State

SELC Southwest Region Regular-Season Champions in 2014-18
41 SELC All-Conference players
28 SELC All-Tournament selections
7 Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) Scholar-Athletes
5 SELC Player of the Year award winners
3 MCLA National Tournament appearances
1 player drafted by the Atlanta Blaze in 2017 – goalie Connor Hanson
Off the field, Yelken serves as the SELC Vice President and Division II Director. He also assists the MCLA as an Executive Committee member and Division II representative. Additionally, Yelken has spent time on several committees including the MCLA Division II Tournament Selection Committee, MCLA Division II Top 25 Pollster, MCLA Division II All-American Selection Committee, SELC Division II All-Conference Selection Committee and the SELC Division II All-Tournament Selection Committee.

Prior to Kennesaw State, he played lacrosse at Cayuga Community College in Auburn, N.Y., and was a part of teams that went to the National Junior College Athletic Association quarterfinals in both seasons (2005, 2006).

Yelken helped start the men's lacrosse program at Woodstock High School, leading the team to a pair of North Georgia Lacrosse League (NGLL) state championships.

As a player, Yelken was the NGLL MVP his junior and senior years, leading the state in scoring in both campaigns.

Yelken graduated from Kennesaw State with a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies with a concentration in American History and a minor of World History.