Head coach Rob Summers announced today the addition of Frank Young as associate head coach to his inaugural coaching staff at Cleveland State. Young brings over a decade of combined playing and coaching experience to Cleveland.
“We’re excited to welcome Coach Young to Cleveland State,” said Coach Summers. “He brings a championship pedigree from multiple institutions and has been instrumental in several major program turnarounds. He’s a proven winner with a strong track record in player development, game preparation, and player relationships. His energy and commitment to excellence will have an immediate impact as we build our team. We look forward to the leadership and experience he’ll bring both on and off the court.”
Young comes to Cleveland after six successful seasons at Appalachian State. He spent his first four seasons as an assistant coach and was promoted to associate head coach where he has served the past two seasons. He helped guide the Mountaineers to a program-record 27 wins in the 2023-24 season and a regular season Sun Belt Conference Championship. He played an integral role in game planning and scouting for App State helping the team to top four conference rankings in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense, as well as scoring offense.
“Frank Young has been an integral part of program record wins at two D1 programs,” said Appalachian State head coach Dustin Kerns. “He was by my side for eight seasons and my Associate Head Coach which shows the confidence and belief I had in him as part of my coaching staff. Frank is the total package and an outstanding hire for Cleveland State. I am very happy for him in the next chapter with a former college teammate. Frank is an absolute star.”
Prior to his time at App State, Young had stops at Presbyterian, North Florida and West Virginia Wesleyan. He helped lead Presbyterian to a 20-win season and a trip to the Collegeinsider.com Tournament in 2018-19. Young spent three seasons at North Florida as Director of Basketball Operations from 2014-17. During his time at North Florida the team won 23 games and made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history in 2014-15. Overall UNF won two league titles and also made an appearance in the NIT during his tenure.
Prior to his time in coaching, Young logged five seasons of professional playing experience overseas. He played for EnBW Ludwigsburg (2007), Rotterdame Challengers (2008), Landstede Club (2008-09) and the Crailsheim Merlins (2010-11) over his time in the professional ranks.
Young played four seasons as a student-athlete at West Virginia, where he and Summers were teammates in 2006 and 2007. Over his four seasons at WVU he averaged 7.4 points per game and played in 125 career games. He set a school record with 117 three-pointers made his senior season and was named the Most Valuable Player in leading the Mountaineers to an NIT Championship in 2007.
Young earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from West Virginia in 2007 and later earned a master’s degree from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2013. He is joined in Cleveland by his wife Kierra and his son Kade.
Cleveland State adds Young as Associate Head Basketball Coach
