Bio

John Young will take over as Head Coach of the rodeo programs for the 2026-27 season.  Young has spent the previous two seasons as assistant coach for the Viking rodeo teams, under long-time Head Coach Ken Mason.  Prior to arriving at Missouri Valley, Young spent four seasons as assistant coach at Iowa Central.  During his time at Iowa Central, Young has assisted in sending 15 individuals to the College National Finals Rodeo, including two individuals that have placed in the top five in their respective disciplines.  Young has also helped Iowa Central capture two-straight Great Plains Region men's championships, in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.

Prior to his time in coaching, Young was an experienced bull rider at the youth, collegiate and professional levels.  Young is a three-time Iowa High School Rodeo state champion as a bull rider, and a four-time National High School Rodeo Finals qualifier.  Collegiately, he competed at Iowa Central and was the Great Plains Region bull riding champion in the 2011-12 season.  He qualified for the CNFR twice, and finished sixth in the Nation in the event at both the 2012 and 2013 championships.  Professionally, Young competed in nine Great Lake Circuit Finals, and won the year-end championship in 2012, 2015 and 2022.  In 2013, Young was the Ram National Circuit Finals Bull Rider Champion.

Young graduated from Iowa central with an associates of applied science degree in business.  He also spent one season at Graceland (Iowa), forming and developing the school's rodeo program during the 2019-20 season.