Coach Yates received her bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University in History, and there she also played volleyball. She has coached a variety of youth sports over the years, including volleyball, softball, and soccer. Growing up in Mesquite, Coach Yates was active in cheerleading, gymnastics, volleyball, softball, and soccer. She and her husband, John, live in Miller Grove with their children. Their oldest, Andrew, is in his junior year at the University of Texas at Arlington with plans to join the Air Force as a fire fighter. 
 Their middle son, Jesse, 11th, does baseball, cross country, and track. Their daughter, Audrey, 10^th, participates in cross country, volleyball, track, and basketball.