Guard Young Assistant Coach Ninth Season     OU Coaching Staff

Former Olympian Guard Young was named assistant coach of the University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics team on June 15, 2011. Young, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist, previously served as an assistant coach for the Sooners from 2000 to 2005.

"I'm really excited to have Guard Young back and part of the program," said Williams. "He was with the University of Oklahoma previously during a five-year span as an assistant coach and made it to the 2004 Olympic games. He moved on and then coached a junior national team member in California and started his own business.

"Now, we're bringing him back. I know we can continue to win championships with him as part of the staff. He's going to be a wonderful addition to the program."

Young brings an impressive resume to Norman. A graduate of Brigham Young University, Young was a six-time All-American and two-time NCAA vault champion (1999-2000). He was also the NCAA all-around runner-up in 2000.

"This is actually my third time moving to Oklahoma," said Young. "I moved here with my family in eighth grade and then, after college, Coach Williams brought me here to help coach while training for the Olympics. Now I'm heading back as an assistant coach. I think this is fate telling me I belong here."

During his previous tenure at OU, Young helped lead the Sooners to three NCAA National Championship titles (2002, 2003 and 2005) and he looks forward to adding on to the program's rich tradition during his second stint.

"I wouldn't be coming back to Oklahoma if I didn't feel it was the best program in the country and the best opportunity to help win a National Championship. That's exactly what I plan on doing."

While coaching at OU, Young was mentored by Williams and earned his way onto the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. In Athens, Greece, Young was the first American to compete in both team competitions at the Summer Games and helped the Americans win silver, the first team Olympic medal since 1984.

Young opened the team finals with a 9.7 floor routine before posting a 9.475 on the still rings and a 9.350 on the vault.

In addition to his Olympic appearance, Young was a 10-time U.S. National Team member and competed for Team U.S.A. in the 2001, 2002 and 2003 World Championships. The American squad claimed silver in 2001.
 
After coaching at OU, Young founded Youngsters, Inc. Gymnastics Academy in Sacramento, Calif. He also directed and coached boys gymnastics at multiple gyms in the Sacramento area.

As a junior gymnast, Young trained under Williams at the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in Norman. Under Williams' guidance, Young was the 1996 junior national champion and earned three junior national team berths.

Young graduated from Brigham Young University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. He was inducted into BYU's Hall of Fame in 2010.