Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Cumbie added another piece to his coaching puzzle with the addition of Nathan Young  as the Bulldogs offensive line coach in January of 2022.

In addition to coaching the offensive line in 2024, Young become the primary play caller for the final eight games of the regular season after being handed the reins prior to the Middle Tennessee game. In his first game as offensive coordinator, Young and the Bulldogs posted a season-high 551 yards, accumulating a season-best 329 yards through the air with six scores, along with a season-high 222 rushing yards. The Bulldog offense registered six 100+ yard rushing performances with Young as a play caller and seven total for the season. Young’s offensive line, anchored by All-CUSA honorable mention guard Bert Hale, helped pass block for an offensive unit that ranked fourth in CUSA with 223.4 pass yards per game.   

In 2023, Young tutored the Bulldogs offensive line that protected the quarterback in the Bulldogs’ passing offense which ranked third in the CUSA at 260.9 yards per game. His offensive line helped LA Tech quarterbacks throw for over 300 yards four times during the season. Behind excellent run-blocking the Bulldogs eclipsed the 100-yard mark in rushing seven times in 2023, highlighted by a 357-yard rushing performance in a win over Northwestern State. As a team, the Bulldogs ranked fifth in the CUSA with 384.7 yards of total offense per game while ranking third in first downs gained with 243. At Nebraska the LA Tech offensive line was impressive in pass protection as they did not allow a single sack. 

Under Young’s guidance in 2022, the Bulldog offensive line paved the way for seven 100+ yard rushing games. His lineman played a role in protecting the quarterback in the Bulldogs passing offense which ranked 32^nd nationally at 267.2 yards per game. Four offensive lineman earned honorable mention All-C-USA honors as a result of the Bulldogs stellar line play. On the recruiting trail Young played a pivotal role as the Bulldogs' 21-member signing class was the highest-rated class in Conference USA and ranked fifth among all Group of Five schools. Tech ranked 70^th nationally in the Rivals 2023 Team Recruiting Rankings, edging out its 2020 signing class by a spot for the best slot in program history. Young helped sign five offensive lineman in the class.

Young came to Ruston prior to the 2022 season 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.