Former Sweet Home High School (SHHS) teacher and current South Albany High School’s (SAHS) physical education teacher and head football coach, David Younger was arrested in Albany on Jan. 3 on charges including two counts of theft and one count of criminal trespass.
Younger is presently on administrative leave and is slated to appear in court following his voluntary surrender to authorities in connection with several theft incidents.
Court records indicate that between October 17, 2023, and November 25, 2023, Younger allegedly pilfered cash and an iPhone valued at no less than $1,000. The documents identify 11 victims, at least six of whom are student-athletes, alongside another physical education instructor.
Another theft charge stems from August, alleging Younger’s misappropriation of funds from the high school between August 1 and August 30. The most recent charge, trespassing, accuses Younger of unlawfully entering SAHS on November 27.
The following statement was issued at the time of Younger’s arrest from Greater Albany Public Schools (GAPS) to inform parents of the incident.
“At the end of November 2023, GAPS became aware of suspicious financial activity at SAHS. District officials presented the information to the Albany Police Department who conducted an investigation. Per district policy, SAHS teacher and football coach David Younger was placed on administrative leave. Any further action taken by the district as a result of APD’s investigation will be in accordance with board policy and with guidance from legal counsel. The district does not comment on personnel issues.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains the district’s first priority. If you have any information that may be relevant to this case, please contact School Resource Officer Williams at the Albany Police Department at 541-917-7680.”
Younger was a physical education teacher at Sweet Home High School (SHHS) from 2005 until he left SHHS for SAHS in 2013. He took a short leave from SAHS later to return in 2021 as a co-head coach.
He graduated from SHHS in 1996 and played football for three years at Western Oregon before transferring to Oregon State University.
Younger was scheduled to return to court on Feb. 12 after he completed an unspecified in-patient treatment program; however, his appearance has been continued until Apr. 10.
According to court records, stipulations of Younger’s conditional release include no trespassing on GAPS property, no contact with certain individuals and with the condition that he uses or possesses no drugs except those prescribed by a medical professional.