After serving the past few weeks as the acting head coach, Panthers Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Mark Shook has announced the naming of Tyrone Young as the seventh head coach in KWC football history.
Young has been serving on the Kentucky Wesleyan football staff since December of 2018 when he was hired as an assistant coach. This past season Young was the associate head coach, along with being the defensive and recruiting coordinator.
“We are thrilled to add Coach Young to our head coaching family. He brings us depth in coaching, training, recruiting, and he has a strong commitment to the ‘Wesleyan Way’ of developing students to be the best they can be in the classroom, community, and in competition,” said Athletic Director Mark Shook. “Tyrone has already built great relationships on our campus, in our community, and across the state. His commitment to growth, the student-athlete model, alumni relations, and the sport will take our football team to a new level. He has worked hard for this opportunity and I’m excited for him and his family’s future here.”
“First and foremost I want to thank VP Mark Shook for allowing me to continue to call Kentucky Wesleyan my HOME. The people of KWC are what make this place home, and I’m beyond grateful because this job and this school mean everything to me,” said Young. “Being the head football coach here at Kentucky Wesleyan comes with a great deal of responsibility, and I’m ready to create a culture based on brotherhood and love. Whatever it takes, day in and day out me and my team will give our all for Wesleyan.”
Since his arrival, Young has been a vital part in re-shaping the defensive culture of the Panthers. Last year’s Panthers finished second in the G-MAC in both interceptions and defensive efficiency, and tallied 21 total sacks on the year. During his time at Wesleyan Young has coached a total of eight All-Conference players and was a vital part in the development of First Team All-American KiShawn Walker.
Prior to his time at KWC, Young spent a year at Anderson University (NCAA Division III) in Anderson, Indiana. While at Anderson, Young coached four All-Conference honorees, including HCAC Freshman of the Year and All-Region defensive lineman Elijah Smith. He recruited the Anderson’s all-time leader in pass receptions Zac Tallent and was instrumental in developing the Adopt-A-Raven program, which played a big part in helping the football team develop a relationship with the community.
Young came to Anderson after a year at Lock Haven (NCAA Division II), where he was the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. He was also the Bald Eagles’ assistant recruiting coordinator and handled video and practice operations. In his lone year at Lock Haven, Young coached three All-Conference honorees, including defensive back Isaiah Flamer, who was named First Team All-Region.
From 2013-16, Young was an assistant coach at King’s College (NCAA Division III) in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Young held many hats for the Monarchs, including defensive pass game coordinator, special teams coordinator, defensive backs coach, graphics coordinator, and JV head coach. In 2014 Young started the first Fellowship of Christian Athletes group at King’s College and served as their campus liaison until he left. While at King’s Young coached three All-Conference players and recruited an average of 18 Scholar-Athletes a year into the football program.
Before King’s, Young started off his career at his alma mater, Kentucky Christian University. There he was the director of football operations, recruiting coordinator, and assistant running backs coach. After a four-year playing career, Young graduated from KCU in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration (Sports Management and Marketing) and Biblical Studies. He currently resides in Owensboro with his wife Shiloh and their daughter Payton.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
Steve Rock – Anderson University Head Coach: “Coach Young is a tireless recruiter and relationship developer. He creates relationships with his players that go beyond the game and he is always there for them, in both the good times and bad. On the field he is able to get the best out of each and every one of this players.”
John Davis – Misericordia University Head Coach: “Coach Young is one of the best young minds in college football today. He is a builder of men and has elevated recruiting at every institution he has worked with. He builds incredible buy-in with everyone around him and has become a go-to for me in problem solving as a head coach!”
David Denham – Western Michigan Defensive Line Coach: “Coach Tyrone Young is not only a football coach, he’s a mentor, teacher, husband, and father. Young is an unbelievable football coach, but he is an even better man that does an outstanding job leading young men. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him numerous times, and he has a knack for inspiring and getting the best out of his players. Kentucky Wesleyan has a very bright future with Young at the helm!”
Justin Robinson – UT Martin Defensive Line Coach: “Coach Young is a phenomenal developer of young men. He is a true servant leader who is going to put his players and community first. He has an extremely infectious energy and I’m excited for what’s to come. KWC is not just getting a great coach, they are getting a phenomenal man of God, husband, father, and mentor.”
