BYU searching for new gymnastics coach after not renewing Guard Young’s contract

BYU gymnastics head coach Guard Young celebrates after Ava Jorgensen competed in uneven bars during an NCAA gymnastics meet against Utah held at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

There will be a new head coach for the BYU women’s gymnastics team after the school announced Wednesday it won’t be renewing Guard Young’s contract.

Young, who was an All-American gymnast at BYU from 1996 to 2000 and was inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame in 2010, has served as the women’s head coach at his alma mater for the past 11 seasons.

During his tenure, BYU finished in the top 25 national rankings six times and won the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference title in 2021 before making the move to the Big 12 in 2023.

In his final season as the Cougars’ coach, BYU went 11-9, finished third in the Big 12 and earned a 196.250 score while finishing third in their NCAA regional appearance in Tempe, Arizona.

“We are grateful for Guard’s 11 years of commitment and hard work with the BYU gymnastics program,” BYU athletic director Brian Santiago said in a statement.

“His efforts in coaching and mentoring student-athletes have made a meaningful impact and we appreciate the time and dedication he has given through his tenure. After thoughtful evaluation of the program’s direction, we believe this is the right time for a change in leadership that can take BYU gymnastics to the next level.”

BYU will conduct a national search to replace Young as head coach.

Utah and BYU gymnasts switch events during an NCAA gymnastics meet held at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News