PROVO, Utah (May 14, 2015) — Brigham Young University Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe today announced the hiring of Guard Young as the new women’s gymnastics head coach at BYU.
Young comes to BYU from the University of Oklahoma, where he was an assistant men’s gymnastics coach from 2000-05 and from 2011-15. In nine seasons at OU, Young has been a part of four NCAA championship teams (2002, 2003, 2005, 2015) and five NCAA runner-up teams (2001, 2004, 2012, 2013, 2014).
“We are pleased to announce Guard as our new gymnastics coach,” said Holmoe. “He is passionate about gymnastics and comes with an amazing resume both as a coach and as a world class gymnast. Guard has been successful everywhere he’s been. His experience has prepared him to be a great head coach and lead our program to renewed success.”
Young’s passion for gymnastics is equaled by his love for BYU. From 1996 to 2000 Young was a member of the BYU men’s gymnastics team, winning six All-America awards and two NCAA National Championships on the vault (1999, 2000). As a senior he also placed runner-up in the individual all-around at the 2000 NCAA Championships. He was inducted into the BYU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.
“BYU has a special place in my heart. I am excited to get to know the team and get to work,” said Young. “There is strong support for women’s gymnastics at BYU and I’m looking forward to building a championship program.”
From 2000 to 2004 Young was a member of the USA Senior National Gymnastics Team, winning a team silver medal at the 2001 World Championships in Ghent, Belgium, and a team silver medal the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
As a junior gymnast, Young trained under OU coach Mark Williams at the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in Norman. He was the 1996 junior national champion and earned three junior national team berths.
Young graduated from BYU in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in communications with an emphasis in broadcast journalism. He and his wife, Alisha, have two boys — Tyler and Jaxson, and one daughter Hadley.
His father, Wayne Young, was a BYU gymnast from 1970-1975 and captained the 1976 USA Olympic team. He later became the Cougars men’s gymnastics coach from 1979-87 and was inducted into the BYU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986. In addition, Guard’s sister Jessica Young Wycherly was a gymnast at BYU from 1995-98.
Young will look to fill his assistant coaching positions immediately. Those interested in applying should go to https://yjobs.byu.edu/postings/search.