Yakov has been a figure skating coach for many years, having been an experienced coach even before Victor had started out as a figure skater.
He was previously married to Lilia Baranovskaya but they appeared to have divorced sometime before Yuri Plisetsky became Yakov's student.
Appearance
Yakov has a very severe appearance that makes him seem perpetually angry. He is partially bald, with his remaining gray hair jaw-length and slicked back. To hide his baldness, Yakov usually wears a felt hat. He has a square jaw and a wide build.
Personality
As a coach, Yakov is very strict with his skaters. He greatly dislikes it when his instructions are ignored and is quick to lecture his students about their mistakes, a trait that he unintentionally passes on to Victor.[1]
Yakov seems to be a fatherly figure towards Yuri, supporting the young skater in his endeavors, and going out of his way to find a separate coach to train Yuri for his free skate. According to Victor, Yakov would be willing to extend help to Yuuri, if Yuuri were to only hug Yakov.
Yakov was Victor's coach until Victor decided to leave Russia for Japan to train Yuuri. Victor refers to Yakov as Coach Yakov, even after having left Yakov's tutelage, and is quite casual when talking to Yakov. In turn, Yakov refers to Victor as Vitya. Yakov is often angry with Victor for not listening to instructions. After Victor left Yakov, he refused to talk to Victor (in figure of speech) until Victor came back but did accept to help Victor and Yuri when Victor needed to rush back to Japan.
Yakov is currently Yuri's coach. In Episode 2, Yuri had left Russia to be coached by Victor, but returned later to Yakov's guidance. Since Yuri's return, Yakov noticed how his defeat against Yuuri Katsuki made him realize how he needed to take his skating more seriously and helped him improve in any way he could. During
Yuuri Katsuki: Yakov is impartial towards Yuuri, until Victor begs Yakov to be Yuuri's coach for the free skate at the Rostelecom Cup. The two do not communicate much before Yuuri's turn. However, Yakov is shown to care a lot about Yuuri's performance, watching and analyzing it carefully. After Yuuri steps off the ice, Yakov starts lecturing Yuuri much like Victor does. After the results are announced, Yuuri thanks Yakov in Russian and hugs the coach.[1]
Georgi Popovich: Yakov is currently Georgi's coach. Georgi is very receptive to Yakov's teaching. Yakov also acts like a father figure to Georgi, lecturing him when necessary, but comforting him when needed.
Mila Babicheva: Yakov is currently Mila's coach. Under his guidance, Mila was able to enter the Grand Prix Women's Final.
Lilia is Yakov's ex-wife. Yakov was the one who asked Lilia to help train Yuri and choreograph Yuri's free skate. The two of them have a strictly professional relationship with each other. Although it might be implied that Yakov still has some feelings for Lilia, he does not show them nor act on it. Yakov is forced to stay at Lilia's house with Yuri while the latter was in training for the Grand Prix series[2]. When Yuri delivers a flawless free skate at the Rostelecom Cup, Yakov is seen comforting Lilia who is in tears of pride.
Quotes
"Wake up! Of all of my students, you've been the most receptive to my instructions. That was one of your weaknesses as well."[3] (to Georgi Popovich)
"If your student's trying to console you, you still have a long way to go as a coach, Vitya"[3] (thought about Viktor Nikiforov)
Trivia
Feltsman is based on Alexei Mishin, a figure skating coach who has formerly coached Evgeni Plushenko and Alexi Yagudin.
Although there is a misconception that Mishin left Yagudin, in reality, it was Yagudin that left Mishin.
Yakov previously trained Otabek Altin during a camp a few years prior to the main storyline. It's unknown if they currently have any contact with one another.
