Former Athens football coach Jack Young will be inducted into the District IV Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame this weekend.
Young coached the Wildcats for 22 years, finishing with a school-record 155 wins, seven league titles and one District 4 championship.
The Hall of Fame ceremony will be held at halftime of the District IV UPMC All-Star game on Friday night in Milton.
Here is Coach Young’s complete biography from the Hall of Fame announcement:
Jack Young III has dedicated more than three decades to education and athletics, leaving a lasting impact on student-athletes, colleagues, and the communities he served. He retired in 2023 after 32 years as a special education teacher and 22 years as the Head Football Coach at Athens Area High School. During his tenure at Athens, Young became the winningest coach in school history, compiling a 155–88 record.
Alongside his dedicated coaching staff, he guided the program to milestone achievements, including the school’s 400th and 500th victories. Under his leadership, the Wildcats captured seven Northern Tier League Championships, made 16 District IV playoff appearances, and earned an Eastern Conference playoff berth. The pinnacle of his coaching career came in 2004 when Athens won the District IV AA Championship and advanced to the state quarterfinals. The Wildcats also finished as District IV runner-up in 2006.
Beyond the football field, Young has been a dedicated leader in athletic administration and officiating. He served multiple terms as President of the District IV Football Coaches Association, as a District Director for the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association, and as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association. A 35-year veteran wrestling official, he currently serves as the PIAA State Wrestling Interpreter and as Chairman of the National Federation of High School Athletics Wrestling Committee.
