WVU Sports Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2016

Written by Bryan Messerly

Donnie Young, an all-conference football player and a long-time member of the WVU football coaching staff, served more than 40 years at his alma mater.

A native of Clendenin, West Virginia, Young started his coaching career at WVU as the freshman football coach in 1970 and retiring in June 2012. With him on staff, the Mountaineers played for two national championships, earned seven Big East championships, participated in 25 bowl games, won eight or more games 22 times, won nine or more games 14 times and 10 or more games six times. Young coached nine All-East or All-Big East players and one consensus All-American.

Young began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Salem in 1966, before serving as the head coach for three years (1967-69), finishing with a three-year record of 19-6-1. His 1969 team posted an 8-1 record and was ranked in the NAIA Top 20, earning him West Virginia Conference Coach of the Year honors.

He started his tenure at WVU in 1970, serving as the freshman coach under Bobby Bowden before being promoted to linebackers coach in 1971. Young then remained on Frank Cignetti’s staff in 1976 as assistant head coach and also served as the defensive coordinator in 1977.

Young became WVU’s recruiting coordinator from 1980-92 under Don Nehlen. He returned to the field in 1993 as the linebackers coach. In 1996, Young’s protégé Canute Curtis earned consensus All-America honors and was a finalist for the Butkus and Bronko Nagurski Awards. During that same season, Young helped the WVU defense earn NCAA rankings of first in the nation in total defense (217.5 ypg), second in rushing defense (61.5 ypg), fourth in scoring defense (12.4 ppg) and finish in pass efficiency defense (86.8).

Prior to the 2001 season, Young took on the role of administrative assistant for WVU football, serving as the WVU Varsity Club Coordinator. He was assistant to the head coach under Bill Stewart and a program assistant under Dana Holgorsen before retiring in June 2012.

Young was a standout defensive guard for the Mountaineers, earning three letters and was an all-conference selection. He received the Ira E. Rodgers Award and the Louis D. Neisel Award in 1964. Young received his bachelor’s degree in physical education and biology from WVU in 1966 and his master’s degree in physical education and safety from WVU in 1967.

Young, who earned the 1988 Proficiency Award from the Morgantown Touchdown Club, and his wife, Chyleen, have two children – Tabitha and Chad, both WVU graduates – and five grandchildren, Melody, Timmy, Levi, Dawson and Anabelle.