| Mark Yoder returned to his alma mater to assume the head coaching duties just prior to the 1998-99 season. He enjoyed his best season in 2002-03 when he guided the Sunbirds to 17-15 record and their first postseason appearance since 1999. He has a seven season mark at FPU of 83-132.
Yoder is the tenth head coach in the history of Fresno Pacific men's basketball. Yoder, originally from Michigan, graduated from Three Rivers High School in Three Rivers, Michigan, then completed an associate of arts degree while playing two seasons at Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas. In 1980 he transferred to Fresno Pacific. Yoder played two seasons for Hal Smith and earned All-League and NAIA All-District Three honors. He led the Sunbirds in assists both seasons and still ranks among FPU's best point guards with 332 assists and a 5.2 assists per game average. He graduated in 1982, then served as an FPU assistant for three seasons before moving to Sanger High School as an assistant to Del Beshore.
In 1986 Yoder became the head coach at Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas. In his first two seasons he guided the Larks to their first back-to-back winning seasons in school history. In all he directed Hesston to six National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Region/District 6 championships and three NJCAA Division II national championship appearances. His teams finished in fifth, seventh, and eighth place.
Yoder moved to Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, just prior to the 1993-94 season. He took over a program that had gone eight straight seasons with five or fewer wins. His first team doubled that with a 10-17 mark. He was named the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference coach of the year following the 1996-97 season when he guided the Threshers to an 18-10 mark. Last season the Threshers finished with a 19-12 mark and just seven points shy of the KCAC championship and a berth in the NAIA National Division II championship.
In 1993 Yoder completed a master's degree in sports administration from Wichita State University. In addition to his coaching duties he also teaches in the FPU physical education department. He and wife Diane are the parents of four children; Josh, Lindsay, Amanda, and Rebecca. The Yoders live in nearby Clovis and are members of the Fresno Evangelical Free Church.
Year-by-year record
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