Jeff Young

Biography

Coach Jeff Young is an inspirational writer and
motivational football coach. A former college running
back and rock guitarist, Jeff began having trouble
holding a guitar pick in 1983. This led to an Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) diagnosis and
medical prognosis of death within three to five years. Thirty-one years later,
not only does he continue to befuddle medical experts, but he has also
turned his tragedy into a triumphant role inspiring people the world over.
With arms, hands, and legs nearly useless, and a progressive and fatal
neurological disorder hanging over his head, Jeff has spent three plus
decades creatively developing ways to remain positive and optimistic. He
learned just how individualistic happiness, motivation, and optimism are
when he saw individuals getting everything they wanted in life and were
still unhappy pessimists, while many in wretched circumstances remained
cheerful optimists. He made it his mission to learn as much as he could about
how to be happy, motivated, and optimistic, and to share this knowledge
with as many others as possible. He began sending out Jeff’s Inspirational
Quotations, a biweekly inspirational email message of his findings and
philosophy, and quickly received feedback from nearly every corner of the
world in the form of praise and from those seeking advice.
Impressed with Jeff’s writings, in 2004, legendary high school football
coach Steve Coury asked Jeff to join his coaching staff for motivational and
inspirational reasons. When both saw the incredible impact his message
had on the lives of Coury’s athletes, his role increased from a weekly
inspirational letter to the team to include mentoring individual players and
teaching leadership skills to team leaders. About Coach Jeff, Coury says, “I
have been coaching for 30 years with aspirations of making a difference
in young men’s lives. Coach Young has a profound impact on every life he
touches.” After many bitter “close, but no cigar” playoff losses, in 2011,
amidst tears of joy, the state championship trophy was presented to Coach
Jeff in one of the great moments in Oregon high school football history.
Jeff has been featured in numerous local and national publications
including Positive Thinking Magazine, and written motivational speeches
for companies like Standard Insurance. He’s been featured in broadcast
features on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Comcast Sports, CBS College Sports, and
ESPN. Jeff is also part of America’s PremierExperts®, a leading organization
that recognizes experts from across the country. ESPN Sports Center Anchor
Neil Everett recalls, “While at ESPN, I heard the story of a guy in Oregon
doing remarkable things with young people on the football field. Jeff’s spirit
soars and his words walk for him.” Despite some ominous signs of things to
come for our world, Coach Jeff looks to future with the same optimism he’s
handled ALS with, and lives to inspire others. Jeff is a 1985 graduate of The
University of Oregon and single father to daughter Priya.
Connect with Jeff at:
[email protected]
www.friendsofjeff.com
www.twitter.com/CoachJeffQuotes
www.twitter.com/CoachJeffYoung
www.facebook.com/LO48Coach
www.youtube.com/coachjeffyoung48