Interim tag lifted, Pope names Young head swim coach
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Vice President for Athletics Matt Pope has removed the interim tag from Ben Young’s title. The former men’s swimming All-American is officially the third head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming programs, Pope announced Monday morning.
VIDEO: Ben Young Press Conference
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Vice President for Athletics Matt Pope has removed the interim tag from Ben Young's title. The former men's swimming All-American is officially the third head coach of the men's and women's swimming programs, Pope announced Monday morning.
"We sought after someone with character and integrity," Pope said. "We looked for someone who would be a high achiever, who knows how to win. Someone who would be a teacher and recruit fit, but most importantly someone who would be a great fit at Carson-Newman. We already had that person here in Ben Young."
Young had been serving as interim head coach since Aug. 3, 2023.
Young earned All-America honors in 2015, the first male athlete with the program to be recognized, along with Paul Ungur, Sam Schechter and Stephen Parsons at the 2015 National Championship Meet.
That quartet became the first All-Americans in the history of the program, men or women, with their top-eight finish in the 200 free relay.
Young's name still dots Carson-Newman's top-10 times. He still has the program's ninth-fastest time in the 50 free (20.46) and 100 free (44.98), as well as the eighth-fastest time in the 200 free (1:39.71) and the sixth-fastest in the 50-back (23.67).
More importantly, Young has helped the Eagles improve on those times since rejoining the program. Since Young came back as an assistant, Carson-Newman men's swimmers have produced 12 of the fastest times in program history in the 50, 100 and 200 free.
"It has been one incredible journey to get here," Young said. "My time here at Carson-Newman has been fantastic. It feels weird to say back here, because it doesn't feel like I ever really left. I'm excited to finish out a whirlwind of a season. We have a lot to celebrate, a lot to work on, and a lot to do moving forward. I have such an extreme amount of gratitude for everyone who has helped me get to this place today."
During his junior year, Young set several initial school records in the 50 free (20.46), 50 back (23.67) and 100 back (51.49). Young was also a member of several relay teams that set records: 200 and 400 free, 200 and 400 IM.
Over the past two years, Young has helped coach 22 All-American swims and 23 honorable mention All-American swims. Along the way, C-N swimmers reset 11 school records at nationals over the last two years.
He helped the women's swim team finish ninth at nationals in 2021 – the program's best-ever finish.
This season, both men's and women's swim programs finished in second place at the SAC Championship meet – their highest finish ever at a league championship meet.
He has coached 14 student-athletes this year who will make their way to the NCAA Championship Meet in Indianapolis.
Young is married to former Carson-Newman swimmer Amanda Henderson. The couple has a son, Luka, and live in Jefferson City.
