LISTEN: BYU welcomes new head coach

LISTEN: 

 

PROVO, Utah — Brigham Young University officially welcomed and introduced its new men’s basketball head coach Kevin Young during a press conference on Wednesday. Young replaces Mark Pope as BYU basketball’s head coach following Pope’s move to Kentucky.

Before being hired by BYU, Young worked for the NBA. He has been with the Phoenix Suns since 2020 and served as the associate head coach since 2021.

Young said at the press conference that his first priority are the BYU basketball players. 

“The things you guys were able to accomplish first year in the Big 12 [were] absolutely remarkable,” he said. 

He told the audience that he’s going to apply everything he learned coaching with the NBA to the Cougars. 

“If I learned anything in the NBA, this thing is all about relationships,” he said. 

Young said the decision to accept the position was not just a great career opportunity, but a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

“The thing that really moved the needle for me and my wife was the environment we’re going to be doing it here at BYU,” he said.  “I’m a lifelong member of the church, so to be able to do what I love .. and blend that with my faith .. and being able to do it with my wife and little ones .. that’s why we came here. ”

He said he wants to make BYU the best place for people to play at to prepare for careers in the NBA. 

“Players want to play here, and coaches want to coach here. This is a very desirable place to be and I look forward to teaming up with a lot of elite people.”