Though Spring sports are still in effect, football season is always on the horizon. Coach Bob Young is taking over leadership of Sedona Red Rock High School’s football team to make sure the Scorpions are ready for next season.
Young coached at Mingus Union High School from 1986 to 1997 and 2000 to 2017 and led the school to a state championship in 1997.
“I believe Young will succeed because he has a great background and an ability to work with kids,” SRRHS Athletic Director Don Burton said. “He will look at the talent we have and construct a game plan to properly utilize that talent moving forward.”
On Wednesday, March 27, the school introduced Young as its new head football coach.
“Coach Young came up from Scottsdale to meet with prospective players and their families,” Burton said.
Young then discussed the Scorpions timeline between this weekend and Sedona’s 2019 season opener.
After meeting and interacting with the players during school, Young met their families at the SRRHS gym.
“Young and his assistants gave an outline of the program with them in charge,” Burton said.
Young replaces Tom Miller, who coached the Scorpions for two seasons.
“We appreciate the efforts of former coach Tom Miller and hope that Young can keep the momentum going,” Burton said.
Although Young was brought in as the football coach, he will also teach Sedona Red Rock High’s sports performance classes.
“I just think that, with Young being in the building all day, he can establish valuable relationships with students,” Burton said. “I think getting a commitment out of the kids will be key and it starts in the classroom.”
“It is crucial that the coach commit more time to the sport than the players and Young is an excellent planner,” Burton said. “I think utilizing the strength of the team to their best abilities is the key in high school coaching.”
Young’s success at nearby Mingus Union High School is what ultimately sold Burton on Young.
“Coach Young has so much knowledge at this level that he doesn’t think he will be successful, he expects it,” Mingus baseball coach and former football player Erick Quesada said. “It is great that he is going into a new environment and Sedona will see why Mingus succeeded for so many years.”
From 2005 to 2010, Young led the Marauders to a 64-14 record and one state championship appearance in 2007.
“I knew he had a lot of success with the Marauders and that he had accepted a role on the Notre Dame Prep team,” Burton said. “His former players gave outstanding reviews of Young, which was a big selling point to us.”
Young also served as defensive coordinator at Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale.
Last season, Scottsdale Prep went 13-1 before ultimately falling in the state championship.
Next year, Young looks to lead the Scorpions towards their first winning season since 2015, when John Bradshaw led Sedona to a 7-3 record.
The Scorpions return two 2A Salt all-region second team members in linebacker Micha Johnson and defensive
back Jackson Coughlin.
“I can tell through conversations with him that Young is a very motivating coach,” Burton said. “He will expect a lot from the players and hold them accountable for their actions.”
“I think football is very important to the school because it kicks off the school year,” Burton said. “If coaches are to have expectations, they must commit to the community in a positive and productive way.”
In 2018, Sedona ended the season 3-7 and finished fifth in the 2A Salt.
“Having more kids participate is key as we are in a competitive league that our kids can compete in,” Burton said. “Next season [will be] a success, as long as they are competing at a high level and positively representing the school.”
The Scorpions went 1-4 in regional play and 3-6 in conference play.
Sedona placed fifth in the 2A Salt Region and 31st in the state.
“They got a legend, I truly believe that he has the ability to turn around that program sooner rather than later,” Quesada said. “He was once my coach, but now as a friend and former colleague I wish Coach Young nothing but success in his future endeavors.”
