PK: Kevin Young Has Turned BYU Into A Basketball Juggernaut

LAS VEGAS – Such confidence – or downright bravado, some would call it – normally is reserved for one with a better list of accomplishments.

But Kevin Young apparently is not an ordinary basketball coach. Prior success at this level be darned, he’ll create his own credentials on the job.

Final: BYU 71, Villanova 66

Cougs open the season 1-0 pic.twitter.com/IQ4VTptr0P

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 4, 2025

After a trial run as a college newcomer, which ended in BYU’s third Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament since 1981, Young is prepped to reach levels not normally associated with this program. Get in his way at your own risk.

Three weeks shy of turning age 44, fresh-faced budding savant has assembled arguably the best collection of talent – but undeniably the most hyped – in BYU history.

Year Two under Kevin Young is off to a strong start

With a roster full of new faces, which is reflective of the state of college basketball, the Cougars got off to a bit of a shaky start in a hotly contested game by beating Villanova 71-66 on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena as part of the Hall of Fame basketball series.

Undoubtedly, the Cougars will get better as the season progresses. Blame it on the first-game jitters.

It’s tempting to say the Cougars have only just begun, but even that is too cheesy for Sin City. Let’s go with, expect better collective performances as Young has planned all along since taking the reins.

BYU basketball took a drastic turn for the better, even if only a few truly understood it, in April 2023. The program was somewhat reeling back then, basically shocked that a coach with zero NCAA tournament success would land the head coaching job at a prestigious blueblood such as Kentucky.

When Mark Pope left Provo for his alma mater, after several notable big names rejected the opportunity to take the job, BYU went on the prowl for a new leader. The usual names, all active church members of the sponsoring faith, were floated.

All along, then athletic director Tom Holmoe and top associate Brian Santiago only had eyes on one candidate. For this reason alone, Santiago deserved the promotion he got when Holmoe announced his retirement last spring.

Staying with a baseball theme, fresh off an incredible World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, Young was a home run hire. With the bases loaded and three runs down in the bottom of the ninth, no less.

BYU basketball has turned into a juggernaut under Young

The former longtime NBA assistant, whose only head coaching experience came in the professional minor league, already has built a juggernaut in less than two years. In other words, exactly like he called it during his initial press conference on a stage set up before an adoring audience at the Marriott Center.

In his first year, Young coached NBA lottery pick Egor Demin – BYU’s first draft pick since Jimmer Fredette nearly 15 years ago. Consider last season as an opening act.

The NBA could come calling for as many as three BYU players next June. AJ Dybantsa is a near lock as a lottery pick, possibly even as the top selection. Richie Saunders and maybe Rob Wright also might get a pay increase next season.

Speaking of money, calm down, BYU haters. Yes, some BYU players are getting big money, dare we say even top dollar, despite a few public protests from school and church administrators.

Texas Tech football bought a roster full of talent and is getting its money’s worth. With first place on the line in the Big 12, the Red Raiders are squaring off against undefeated BYU this week.

Think of BYU as the Texas Tech of college basketball. Young would never have left the NBA, where he was destined to become a head coach, if BYU wasn’t willing to put large down payments on stars.

Success costs money in college sports in this era, just like the real world. Unless rules get broken, BYU has every right to continue on the path toward excellence.

The Young man wouldn’t have it any other way.

Follow @PKKinahan