Change is coming to the BYU women's gymnastics program. The university announced Wednesday it will not renew the contract of head coach Guard Young, ending his 11-season tenure and launching a national search for new leadership.

Young is a true BYU legend, having been an All-American gymnast for the Cougars from 1996 to 2000 and earning induction into the school's athletic hall of fame. His transition to coaching at his alma mater was a storybook move, and over the past decade, he built a consistently competitive program.

Under his guidance, the Cougars cracked the top 25 national rankings six times and captured the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference championship in 2021. The team successfully navigated a major transition to the Big 12 conference in 2023, and just this past season, they posted an 11-9 record, finished third in the Big 12, and registered a strong 196.250 score at the NCAA regionals.

"We are grateful for Guard’s 11 years of commitment and hard work," said BYU athletic director Brian Santiago. "His efforts in coaching and mentoring student-athletes have made a meaningful impact... After thoughtful evaluation, we believe this is the right time for a change in leadership that can take BYU gymnastics to the next level."

This decision marks a pivotal moment for the program. As BYU embarks on a national search, the goal is clear: find a leader who can build upon the established foundation and elevate the Cougars into the upper echelon of collegiate gymnastics. For the athletes, it's a time of transition, but also an opportunity to usher in a new era of competition.