CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay State University athletics department held an introductory press conference Friday to announce the hiring of Brittany Young as its 11th head women’s basketball coach in school history.
“If you would’ve asked me maybe even two years ago if I wanted to be a head coach, my answer probably would’ve been no,” Young said. “I feel like in the last year or so, I’ve finally realized that I’ve come to a point in my life where I have to surrender to my purpose.
“This journey that we’ll embark on together is going to be a fun ride. … The Total Gov concept that Gerald (Harrison) talked about immediately won me over. That is my mission in life to help young people develop athletically, academically, in the community and help set them on a track to achieve all of the goals they have for their future.”
Young takes over the reins to the program after spending a year as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Mississippi State under Nikki McCray-Penson.
According to Young, the admiration she has for her former boss goes beyond just the game of basketball.
“I think that’s huge,” Young said of McCray-Penson’s endorsement of herself. “She doesn’t have to do those things or say those things. Like I said before, Coach has been very loyal over the past four years I’ve worked with her. She’s a competitor and wants to win more than anyone.
“A lot of people may not know Coach is also a survivor. She’s had battles off the court while simultaneously preparing her team to battle on the court. She doesn’t make excuses and she’s a fighter. I’ve learned so much from her and I’m thankful.”
Previous stops
When asked who she believes is most responsible for getting her to this point in her coaching career, Young gave a heartfelt answer.
“It takes a village, but one name I will bring up who actually called me not too long ago is David Smith,” Young replied tearfully. “He was my high school coach and besides my family and great supporters from my church, he was probably the first person outside of that circle that started to teach me that sometimes you have more in you than you even know. He really pushed me to achieve that and he’s a huge part of my life.”
Young’s reputation as a tireless recruiter precedes herself, helping land the No. 8-ranked point guard in the country according to espnW while with the Lady Bulldogs.
“I’m going to be honest I don’t know exactly,” Young said on what makes her most effective as a recruiter. “I think it just comes from being back home in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. When you grow up in a small town like that, you never meet a stranger. You try to be helpful to those around you in your community and it’s not a place where you can be selfish. I think it just comes from my foundation, my family and just being raised a certain way. All the small lessons I’ve learned over the years play a big part in being able to connect and relate to people.”
During her own collegiate playing career, Young was a CoSIDA Academic All-American and a member of the all-conference team at Francis Marion University. She was also named to the school’s all-decade team and earned team “Most Valuable Player” honors twice.
Culture and outlook
It is no secret that her predecessor struggled to get the job done in postseason play, but Young is confident in her own ability to be able to lead Austin Peay over the proverbial hump.
“Our goal is to ultimately turn the corner,” Young said. “I think our biggest goal for our players is to simply focus on the process of becoming better and some of that is just belief and mental toughness. When you get into critical moments, you need confidence to be able to take that shot or get that stop defensively. The goal daily will be to put our team in adverse situations, so that they’re able to persevere and take that next step.”
Young plans on instilling a cohesive culture and a new brand of Lady Governor basketball come November.
“Discipline first and foremost,” Young said. “That’s something that originated from my time back at the University of South Carolina as a graduate assistant. I can always remember Coach Staley (Dawn) used to make a statement that a disciplined person can do anything. I also want our players to be passionate and hungry to learn more about the game by figuring out ways we can improve. I’m sure all that will grow as we spend more time together, but right now those are going to be two focal points.”