Scott Swanson
Thirteen years into his coaching career, David Younger has been named head coach at South Albany High School.
He replaces Bryce Erickson, who left in December to take a job at the University of Idaho.
“There was mutual interest on both sides,” Younger said of the process. “I knew they would have a P.E. job open, so I applied for it and interviewed. Monday night (Jan. 14) they offered me the job.”
Younger served as head coach at Harrisburg last year, leading the Eagles to a 3-6 record. He has been a physical education teacher at Sweet Home High School since 2005.
Younger, 35, is the son of longtime Sweet Home head coach Rob Younger, who retired three years ago. Known to a recent generation of Sweet Home High School students as “Younger Younger,” he graduated from SHHS in 1996 and played football for three years at Western Oregon before transferring to Oregon State University. David Younger served as an assistant on his father’s staff from 2000 to 2009.
He was one of the top two finalists to replace his father in 2010, but when the position went to fellow assistant Dustin Nichol, Younger accepted a position as an assistant on the West Albany football staff.
“I always had an interest in what they did at West Albany,” Younger said. “Their head football coach Randy Nyquist was a family friend and he offered me an assistant’s job.”
He coached linebackers and running backs for the Bulldogs and coordinated the special teams. The experience at West Albany, which had won a the 5A Division state championship two years previously, was invaluable in building his experience.
“I think working with Randy and seeing his expectations for a high-quality football program, and learning how to meet those expectations definitely prepared me to be a head coach,” Younger said.
After a year at West Albany, he got a call from the athletic director at Harrisburg, another family friend, who asked him if he’d be interested in interviewing for the head coaching position. He got the job.
“We had a very successful season, not necessarily with wins and losses, but laying the foundation for our program,” he said of his stint with the Eagles. “The kids got after it, worked hard and bought into our system.”
He took one assistant with him from his days in Sweet Home, Justin Seiber, who will also assist in coaching the Rebels.
“He’s a great coach,” Younger said. “He did a great job for us. He’s a guy I plan on coaching with for a long time.”
He said he plans on talking to some other former colleagues from Sweet Home as he builds his staff.
South Albany looks like a great opportunity, he said. The Rebels went 3-6 this past fall, with wins over North Eugene, Dallas and Woodburn. Before Erickson took over last season, South went 0-9 in 2011.
“I think it’s a lot like Harrisburg,” Younger said. “We’re building a foundation for the future. I think the administration at South Albany is doing a great job trying to build their athletic program. They’re bringing in teachers who are also coaches. I really feel that their principal (Brent Belveal) and administrative staff in general are trying to raise the profile of South Albany High School, not just in athletics but with academics as well.”
He said he believes it will be a “great fit.”
“The kids are very similar to Sweet Home. I’m looking forward to not only an opporutnity but building that program, going down to the Pop Warner and middle school levels and building that program from top to bottom.”