Billy Young has decided to step down as the Aberdeen Roncalli football coach.
Young served as assistant for one year before being the head coach of the Cavaliers for the past 10 seasons.
“It was time. It was something I’ve given a lot of thought to,” Young said. “Over the last couple of years my priorities have changed. I just want to spend more time with my family and do things I haven’t been able to do while I was coaching. I just knew it was the right time.”
Roncalli qualified for the playoffs seven times in Young’s 10 years as head coach, advancing to the quarterfinals in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. The Cavaliers won the Northeast Conference championship in 2022.
Young said he has many fond memories during his time as the head coach.
“There’s so many things I look back on,” Young said. “My first year as head coach, that group that I had, Brady Morgan, Grant Gunderson, that whole group, they’re the ones that really made me feel like I belonged. They were great.”
Young also pointed out the success of the team the year after the NEC title, when graduation took a big toll.
“Everybody kind of counted us out,” Young recalled.
The Cavaliers lost their season opener to Clark-Willow Lake 2-0.
“It just kind of seemed like the sky was falling,” Young said, “and then we rebounded and won a few games.”
Roncalli lost its starting quarterback to injury and “Aiden Fisher steps in and plays lights out,” Young said, leading the Cavaliers to the quarterfinals of the playoffs.
There were also multiple overtime games through the years, wins and losses.
“Even the losses, once the sting of losing passes, a couple years down the road, you look back and appreciate those games, too,” Young said.
But even more important than the wins and losses, Young said watching former players mature, start families, and have successful careers is way more meaningful to him.
“If they learned any life lessons from football,” Young said, “that’s what I want my legacy to be.”
Young will remain in his position as a teacher at Roncalli. He already has travel plans for his future.
“My goal was to get to see all 50 states, before I retire,” Young said. “Well, I’m at 47. I’ve got three more to get to, so hopefully I can do that.”
There will also be more trips to his home state of Texas, as well as teaching drivers education at three different schools.
“I’ll definiltey find stuff to keep myself busy for sure,” Young said.
