Chris Young is no stranger to the Greenwood Bulldogs football team and their incredible run the last 20 years. In fact, he has been a part of that success with the last three head coaches to serve Greenwood football. During that time, Greenwood has seen one of the most dominant sustained runs of success in Arkansas high school football history. Coach Young will assume the head coaching duties of the Greenwood Bulldogs after Coach Rick Jones announced his resignation last week.
Coach Young expressed his excitement and honor of being named the head coach. “I appreciate the confidence the Greenwood School Board and the district administration have in me as well as our coaching staff. We look forward to the challenge of finding ways to improve our football program and are excited about the future. Go Bulldogs!”
Coach Young, who is a 1995 graduate of Northside High School, played soccer at the University of Central Arkansas and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1999, and later earned his master’s degree from Harding University in 2010. He started his tenure with Greenwood Schools in 2000 as a math teacher, a junior high football coach and head boys/girls soccer coach. In 2002, Coach Young was moved to the high school football staff , was promoted to Offensive Coordinator in 2009 and began calling plays. In 2011, Coach Young was given additional duties for the school district as the Assistant High School Principal.
Coach Young has been an integral part of the Greenwood success with 12 state title game appearances, 9 state titles, a 50-game win streak, and appearances in the state semifinals 15 times in 20 years. As an offensive coordinator, Young has directed a high-powered offensive attack. He has had numerous wide receivers earn college scholarships. Lucas Miller and Drew Morgan (Arkansas), Stephen Hogan (Arkansas State), Spencer Harris (Illinois), Austin Harris (University of Arkansas-Monticello), Jansen Stein (Harding), Garrett Collins (Arkansas tech) and Treyton Dawson (Henderson State University) all earned college scholarships as wide receivers under Coach Young.
“Coach Young is extremely familiar with the standard of excellence that has been established in the Greenwood football program,” stated Greenwood Athletic Director Dr. Dustin Smith. “He had a front row seat and has been instrumental in helping to build that standard. What I really respect about Chris is that he understands what it means to be a Bulldog. Coach Young will not allow the standard to shift. Excellence is the standard at Greenwood, and he embraces that standard whole-heartedly.”
As an administrator, Coach Young has handled discipline for the high school. High School Principal, Dr. Cody Chatman praised the job Chris has done as an administrator.
“Chris has played a vital role in our administrative staff for many years. His ability to form meaningful relationships with our students, staff, parents, and community have enabled him to become successful both on and off the field. He is extremely driven, passionate, and a great communicator of goals and expectations. I am excited to continue working with Chris in this new role,” commented Dr. Cody Chatman, Principal of Greenwood High School.
“Chris is a competitor and loves to see our kids compete. Not just on the football field, but he loves to see anyone wearing the ‘G’ compete. It doesn’t matter the sport, Coach Young cheers on our kids and supports our kids,” Dr. Smith stated. “Chris knows our football program inside and out and we believe he will continue the rich tradition of Greenwood football.”
Quotes from former players…..
“When I think of great coaches, the first 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
“Chris Young is a great hire. I have been around a lot of head coaches in various sports and Coach Young carries and exhibits the same qualities and leadership they bring.” – Connor Noland
