Holland College Hurricanes announce Young as new head coach

Friday, February 19, 2016. Charlottetown – The Holland Hurricanes, four-time winners of the Atlantic Football League’s Moosehead Cup, will be led by a new head coach this year, football veteran Ross Young.

Young is no stranger to the football community in Prince Edward Island. At Mount Allison University, he led the Mounties as a team co-captain, All-Conference linebacker for three consecutive years, and was selected as Mountie Defensive MVP, MVP Special Teams and 110 Percent Award winner for his consistent play, dedication and leadership on and off the field. He was an assistant coach in Mount Allison’s first ever Vanier Cup appearance in 1984 against the Guelph Gryphons. In the early 2000s, Young became President of the Mount Allison Mounties 5th Quarter Club and worked closely with former Mountie Peter Winters, Athletics and Administration, to help to rebuild the Mountie program and boost financial support. He has been involved with minor football in P.E.I. for decades and has been one of the stalwarts who have helped to keep the sport alive in the province. He started the Wildcat Varsity Football program in Souris and the Bantam Football Program in Montague‎ and Kings County.

Hurricanes president Michael O’Grady said Young’s leadership will ensure the continued development of the team, which is just entering its seventh year.

“Ross has an excellent reputation as a former player, a coach, and an active member of the community. I am pleased that he has accepted the challenge, and know that he will provide exceptional leadership to our players and coaching staff,” he said.

Young is a former Member of the Legislative Assembly of P.E.I. and is currently employed with the Province of PEI. During the 2015 season, he was an assistant coach with the Holland College program. His son John Ross Young was a first-year starter for the team.

He said that he is looking forward to taking over as head coach for the Hurricanes, as he sees the team as a key component in the growth of the sport in P.E.I.

“The Hurricanes have provided Island players with the option to play football on a post-secondary level. The team gives them the opportunity to take their skills to the next level, and quite a few players have followed up by continuing their studies with CIS scholarships. Last year, the Hurricanes had a large group of Island players and we are expecting to see that number grow again this year,” he said. “We are very proud of the mix of local and off-Island talent that defines our football program.”

Coach Young will confirm the team’s coaching staff and announce a date for an early April minicamp soon. For more information about the Hurricanes, visithcfootball.ca or email [email protected].