Steve Fanara served as the Yellow Jackets head coach from 2008-2011.

Before taking over as head coach, Fanara spent third years as the defensive coordinator at Howard Payne.  During his first season in 2005 season, the HPU defense improved significantly in several conference categories including total defense, rushing defense, scoring defense and pass efficiency defense.  The Yellow Jackets finished 2^nd in the ASC in rushing defense improving from 205 yards per game in ‘04 to giving up just 110 yards per game in ’05.  Fanara’s defense also set an American Southwest Conference record for interceptions in a season with 29 in 10 games.
 
The 2006 season did not produce as many statistical highlights; however the defense gave up just 8.6 points a game in the first three weeks helping the Yellow Jackets get off to a 3-0 start.  Also, for the second season in a row HPU yielded the top individual interception leader in the ASC.  Sylvester Walker earned the distinction in 2005 and Aaron Moore in 2006.  Walker also earned freshman of the Year honors for the 2005 season.  Since arriving at HPU Fanara has had the privilege of coaching 8 All-conference selections and 2 Pre-Season All-Americans.
 
Prior to joining the Yellow jackets, Fanara spent the 2004 season as the head coach at 6A Oakville High School in St. Louis.  Fanara, 41, has been a head high school coach for seven years with stops at Ruskin, Warrensburg and DeSoto High Schools in Missouri.  His 2000 Warrensburg team advanced to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade at that school.  The team was led by 1,000-yard rusher Germaine Race who is now playing for the San Diego Chargers.
 
Fanara, who will be entering his 22^nd year in coaching, has also spent time at the collegiate level with Mid-America Nazarene, Olivet Nazarene, Southwest Baptist and The United States Military Academy Prep School.  He has served as the recruiting coordinator at two schools and has held both offensive and defensive coordinator titles.  While serving under Bobby Ross at the Army’s Prep School, Fanara coached safety Caleb Campbell who is on the pre-season watch list for the Ronnie Lott Trophy.  In addition to football, Fanara also served as the Head Baseball Coach at USMAPS during the 2002 and 2003 seasons.
 
Fanara earned his degree at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri in 1988.  He played for two seasons before beginning his coaching career as a student assistant.  He also holds a Masters degree from Mid America Nazarene University.  Steve has been married to Lesley for 13 years and they have three children, Jordan-17, Lauren-11, and Grant-8.  The Fanara family resides in Brownwood.