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Coach Chris Young
Chris Young named Greenwood Football Head Coach By Leland Barclay SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
e Greenwood Bulldogs didn’t go far at all to nd their next head football coach.
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Chris Young was approved by the Greenwood Board of Education on Wednesday night as the successor to Rick Jones, who resigned last Friday to accept a position with the University of Missouri football department.
“We had the task of not even a week ago to accept the resignation of Rick Jones as he pursues other endeavors, and we absolutely wish him the best,” Greenwood athletic director Dustin Smith said. :“We had the task of nding somebody to carry on that tradition and build upon that.”
Young served as Jones’ o ensive coordinator for the past 11 years, and his desk has been right outside of Jones’ o ce.
“Chris has been a staple,” Smith said. “A lot of people know him from a variety of roles here. His passion for our kids is unmatched.”
Greenwood’s new head football coach, Chris Young Photo courtesy of Greenwood Schools
Young was hired at Greenwood in 2000 by Ronnie Peacock, who guided the Bulldogs to their rst state championship in 2000. Young was an assistant junior high coach and was moved up the high school sta by Harv Welch a er Peacock le for Rogers and was on Jones’ sta all 16 years of his tenure.
Both his mother, Catherine, and father, Joe Fred, also were teachers and coaches.
Joe Fred Young led Northside to eight championship games so Chris Young has been on the sidelines for those eight championship games as well as 12 for Greenwood.
“My dad was a very successful head coach, my mom was a very successful head coach and I’ve learned a lot from them and how they handled student athletes,” Young said. “I’m 42 years old. My dad coached in eight state championship games where I’ve been on the sidelines, and I’ve coached in 12 now so 20 years out of 42 I’ve been on the sidelines in a state championship game.”
Smith reached out immediately to Young about the possibility of taking over for Jones on Friday a er Jones submitted his resignation. Wednesday night it was con rmed.
“ is is something that I’ve wanted for a long time,” Young said. “Obviously, I was very happy working for Rick and working with our sta , but I am very excited about taking over this program and to continue what coach Jones and our sta has started.”
Young is a 1995 graduate of Northside, received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Harding University.
Young is married to Kelly, a physical education teacher at Westwood Elementary in Greenwood, and they have two children, Cooper and Kenzie.
New Greenwood head football coach, Chris Young, with wife, Kelly, and kids, Cooper and Kenzie.
Photo courtesy of greenwooddogpound.com
What some former players have to say about Coach Young…..
“When I think of great coaches, the rst two people that pop into my head are Rick Jones and Chris Young. When I think back to when I was having the most fun playing football, it was with Chris Young as my position coach. He has played a huge role in shaping me into what I am today. He not only understands the Bulldog way, but he LIVES the Bulldog way. If I could play one more snap for him, I would. He is the only coach I would do that for.”
– DREW MORGAN
– CONNOR NOLAND
