Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Cumbie has added another piece to his coaching puzzle as Nathan Young will serve as the Bulldogs offensive line coach.
Young comes to Ruston after serving in the same position at Stephen F. Austin.
"Nathan Young is one of the smartest, hard-working teachers of offensive linemen that I've come across," said Cumbie. "His ability to develop, teach, and lead his position will be a difference maker here. Everywhere he's been he has been a key component of explosive, high-scoring offenses. We cannot wait to get Nathan and his family to Louisiana Tech."
Young spent the past three seasons at Stephen F. Austin, working with the Lumberjacks offensive line. SFA is coming off a season that saw the program earn a berth in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs and a Top 25 national ranking. SFA recorded back-to-back winning seasons in 2020 and 2021, the first by the program since 2011.
"My family and I are extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the Bulldog family with Coach Cumbie and the other members of the staff," said Young. "Coach Cumbie is a tremendous man of character and an impactful coach, both on and off the field, and I am excited to work beside him to help build relationships throughout the program, university, and community. The tradition of success and tremendous talent throughout the state of Louisiana has us fired up to get to Ruston."
During his time at SFA, he took over a Lumberjacks offensive line that consisted of just five scholarship players upon his arrival and in his first year four of the five O-line signees became starters. During the three years, SFA increased its yards per carry by over 1.2 yards and cut the total sacks in half. The Lumberjacks offensive line allowed just 23 sacks in 12 games this past year in more than 425 drop-back opportunities by SFA quarterbacks.
Young spent two years at San Antonio's Madison High School (2017-2018), serving as the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He helped lead the program to the District 27-6A title.
Prior to his days on the prep level, Young coached for nine seasons at Abilene Christian (2008-2016), serving in a number of positions, including offensive coordinator, running backs, tight ends and offensive line coach.
During his time at Abilene Christian, the program made the transition to the FCS level moving up to the Southland Conference from the Lonestar Conference. ACU won a number of Lonestar Conference titles (2008, 2010) and recorded four Division II playoff appearances.
He was a two-time first team NCAA Division II All-American as a player at Abilene Christian (2006, 2007) and was named the Lonestar Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year both seasons. He was a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award in 2007. He was inducted into the Abilene Christian Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.
Young earned his bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Abilene Christian in 2007, graduating magna cum laude. He also earned his master's degree in liberal arts from ACU in 2010, graduating summa cum laude.
He is married to Alyson, and the couple has a son, Slade, and two daughters, Saylor and Sloane.