Scott Swanson
Of The New Era
Sweet Home Head Football Coach Rob Younger has been named recipient of the 2007 Power of Influence Award, a national honor that goes to a high school football coach recognized for his positive effect on players, his school and community.
Younger, 53, was nominated by the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association. The award, which is presented jointly by the American Football Coaches Association and the American Football Coaches Foundation, will be presented to Younger at the AFCA Coach of the Year Dinner on Jan. 9, at the 2008 AFCA Convention in Anaheim, Calif.
The Power of Influence Award was created as a way for the AFCA and AFCF to honor a deserving high school football coach for his effect on his players, school and community. The AFCA was founded in 1922 to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and the coaching profession” and to provide a forum to deal with matters pertaining to football. It has more than 10,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. The AFCF, created in 2000, provides financial support for the educational goals of the AFCA.
While the Power of Influence Award is not based on wins and losses, it is noted that coaches of powerful influence have longevity and success. It is the first AFCA award specifically designed to honor a high school coach.
The other finalists for this year’s award were: George Smith of St. Thomas Aquinas H.S. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.); William Sharpe of Jimtown H.S. (Elkhart, Ind.); Mike Mahlen of Verndale H.S. (Verndale, Minn.); Tom Brown of Maiden H.S. (Maiden, N.C.); Jerry Mille of Montrose H.S. (Montrose, S.D.); Hugh Sandifer of Wylie H.S. (Abilene, Texas); Phil Ottney of Glenwood City Schools (Glenwood City, Wis.); and Joel Eskelson of Big Piney H.S. (Big Piney, Wyo.).
Past Power of Influence Award recipients include Larry Dippel of Amarillo (Texas) H.S. (2002); John McKissick, of Summerville (S.C.) H.S. (2003); Marcus Borden of East Brunswick (N.J.) H.S. (2004); Ron Stolski of Brainerd (Minn.) H.S. (2005); and Sid Otton of Tumwater (Wash.) H.S. (2006).
“The idea that I was selected by the state of Oregon is beyond belief, and then to win the national award is unthinkable to me,” Younger said. “It just shows how blessed I am to live in a great community like Sweet Home and be constantly surrounded by great players and great assistant coaches – my best assistant coach being my wife, Karen.”
Younger has coached football for 32 years. A 1972 graduate of Corvallis High School, he started his career as an assistant coach in 1975 at Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis, then moved to Sweet Home in 1980, becoming the defensive coordinator at Sweet Home High School. He held that position until he was named head coach in 1988.
During his 28 years at Sweet Home, Younger has also coached softball, basketball and baseball. He is currently a member of the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association, sits on the Oregon Schools Activities Association Executive Committee, and the National Federation High School Coaches Association. He serves on the board at Sweet Home Community Chapel and has volunteered with the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District for 22 years. He is a lieutenant and engineer for the department and leads debriefing sessions following serious accidents and fires. Younger was recognized as SHFAD’s Rescue Member of the Year in 1991 and Engineer of the Year in 1987.
Fire Chief Mike Beaver, who said he’s known Younger since high school when their basketball teams competed against each other, credited him and Larry Johnson for their work with victims of fires and serious accidents.
“He and Larry Johnson together have handled a lot of extremely distressed people,” Beaver said. “They take these people aside and calm them down, keep them out of the work area. It’s a really important job because it allows other people to do what they need to do. It’s a thankless, priceless job.
“He’s been a real stable, calming individual on a lot of our scenes.”
Younger has a 119-79 overall record in his 20 years as Sweet Home’s head coach. Since becoming head coach in 1988, he guided the Huskies to six Capital Conference championships and helped the team earn 16 trips to the state playoffs.
Including his eight years as defensive coordinator, Sweet Home has won a total of nine league titles and made the playoffs 22 times during his coaching career here. In 1987, the Huskies won the 3A state championship with Younger as the defensive coordinator. Younger has earned many awards over his distinguished career as head coach. He was honored by the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association with the Contributor Award in 2005. He has also been named Capital Conference Coach of the Year eight times.
In the 32 letters submitted by colleagues and friends in support of Younger’s nomination, he was described as a man of high character who consistently demonstrates that to his players and students and whose influence extends well beyond the football field.
Sweet Home High School Principal Pat Stineff, Younger’s boss for the last 11 years, said Younger is “extremely deserving” of the award.
“He does influence kids in a really positive way, as a caring person,” Stineff said. “He’s always concerned about them behaving properly. I’m really proud of him for that. One thing I’ve always appreciated is that our kids don’t play dirty. I don’t have to listen to other people’s complaints about how our kids are gouging eyeballs.”
Stineff said Younger’s concern for young people carries over into the classroom.
“He’s caring, wanting kids to put their best foot forward,” she said.
The fact that he’s on the the OSAA Executive Committee is a testimony to his influence as well, Stineff added.
“That doesn’t come easily,” she said.
Johnson, who served as athletic director at the high school for 24 years, said he wrote a letter supporting Younger’s nomination.
Johnson said that Younger’s influence has been considerable.
“One of the things you instantly look at is the number of kids that are coaching in our program now who are a direct offshoot of playing for Coach Younger and his staffs,” Johnson said. “It’s kind of unique to have that many kids involved. Plus, for our kids, it’s great to have that influence.”
Johnson recounted how he was recently out of state and talked to an alumnus of Sweet Home High School, who immediately asked “How is Coach Younger? He really influenced me.”
“This is a kid who is doing a great job as a parent, with a family of his own,” Johnson said. “A lot of times you don’t hear about those things.”
He said it’s common when he runs into Sweet Home alumni out of town that they ask about Younger.
“His major success is watching these kids when they’re well out of the (football) program , what they’re doing for their communities, their churches, themselves and for their families,” Johnson said.
He said Younger’s also had a strong positive influence in the classroom, where he teaches natural science.
“We’re not just talking about football here,” Johnson said. “There are kids who want to be in his class. He can teach to the highest level or he can teach to kids who are struggling.”
Barbara Weld, former athletic secretary for Sweet Home High School, stated in her letter: “No matter where you go in Sweet Home, people know Rob Younger. Rob is very active in his church and respected in our community for his stand of high morals and good character. He is an excellent role model to students and adults alike, as he is willing to live what he expects from others.”
Former player Seth Graves, a member of the 2003 team that went 10-1, said “no one has influenced me more than Coach Younger has. He demonstrates all the qualities a young man would strive to achieve. His emphasis on football was great, but his emphasis on character was even greater. I know what Coach Younger has done for me will change my life forever.”
Another former athlete, Army Major Jerry L. Farnsworth II, who played at West Point after graduating from Sweet Home in 1987, said that Younger’s “basic, fundamental teachings that he instilled in me permeate my own leadership style and influence how I train and lead soldiers today” as a battalion executive officer.
“No other coach or leader has influenced me like Coach Rob Younger has. Integrity, strength of character, leadership and that fantastic ability to positively mentor young student-athletes are just a few words that describe this incredible example of coach, mentor and role model,” Farnsworth wrote in his letter.
Veteran Sisters High School football coach, whose team has competed against Younger’s annually for 12 years, also wrote, calling Younger “a man of the highest integrity who is not only a coach but a steward of the game of football.
“As a friend, a father and a husband, Rob is focused on what is important in life,” Macauley wrote. “Coach Younger is an example that nice guys do finish first. I hold Coach Younger in the highest esteem. I could not think of any person who defines the phrase better or deserves recognition more for his power of positive influence than Coach Rob Younger.”
Younger credited his family for their support over the years, which, he said, has been crucial.
“I think it goes way beyond me,” he said. “Number one, it goes back to having a great family that supports me through the year. My family can kind of share the things I like to do.
“I have a special wife, Karen, who is more of a co-coach who supports me. Many times she’ll accompany me and be a part of everything that I do. We can stay involved together and I can still do the things I love to do.”
He also expressed gratitude to coaching colleagues who have helped build the program and keep it at a consistently high level.
“For 28 years I’ve had great co-coaches,” Younger said. “I’ve just had so many great experiences with so many good assistant coaches who are not only good coaches but great friends.”
One of those co-coaches is his son David, who played for him at Sweet Home and is now defensive coordinator for the Huskies.
David Younger , who was adopted by Rob Younger at age 2, said his father is his “hero.”
“I can always see how proud he is when he introduces me as his son,” David Younger wrote. “I was never his stepson or his wife’s son. I was his. A lot of children will tell people their dad is their inspiration. I am living proof that nurture is stronger than nature.”
Rob Younger noted that at this fall’s Husky Football Camp, in addition to the 180 boys who participated there were 26 coaches, 19 of whom played for Sweet Home High School.
“That shows tremendous pride in the program, that they’re willing to come back and give back to Husky football,” Younger said.