Bill Young, a beloved figure in college football who enjoyed stints on some of the sport's largest stages before he retired after the 2018 season, has died.
Young, who spent the final four years of his career as Tulsa's defensive coordinator, part of nine total seasons he spent with the Golden Hurricane, was 74.
A Texas native who played collegiately at Oklahoma State, Young began his career as a high school coach in Oklahoma before he returned for the first of a couple of stints at his alma mater.
In total, for a career that spanned 50 years and touched six decades, Young had stops at Power 5 programs Iowa State, Arizona State, Ohio State, University of Southern California, Oklahoma, Kansas and Miami (Fla.).
"Coaching has been good to me,” Young said at the time of his retirement. “I can't imagine doing anything else and having enjoyed it as much. I started off as a high school coach, then worked my way into college. It's been fantastic. I've had the opportunity to work with some unbelievably good coaches and people. I think a little bit of all of them rubbed off on me, and hopefully helped me become a better coach."
Additionally, Young had a one-year tour as the Detroit Lions' defensive line coach.
Noted for his ability to coach and develop defensive linemen, Young also served as a defensive coordinator at five of his stops – including his alma mater – before finishing his career with a year at Yukon High School (Oklahoma) followed by his final four seasons at Tulsa. He was married to Lawana, an Oklahoma native whose family was in the Tulsa area and a reason Young concluded his coaching career and retired in that area.
Please join us in praying for the repose of his soul and for his family and friends. God bless.