BYU Basketball: Kevin Young's Vision Takes Shape as Cougars Prepare for Big 12 Debut

BYU basketball coach Kevin Young addresses staffing, recruiting, and transition to Provo, as the Cougars prepare for their first year in the Big 12.

BYU Basketball: Kevin Young Addresses Staffing, Recruiting, and Transition to Provo

BYU’s head men’s basketball coach Kevin Young speaks to reporters after practice at BYU in Provo on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

In the 51 days since he was hired as the 16th men’s basketball coach at BYU, Kevin Young has made significant strides in building his team. He has hired five new assistant coaches and a basketball chief of staff, all while persuading some key players to stay at BYU and attracting a few more from the transfer portal or high school ranks.

Now the real work begins — molding this collection of coaches and players from all over the world with varied backgrounds into a bonafide Big 12 team.

The Cougars have been practicing a couple of hours every day since Monday, although not all the players expected to be on the 2024-25 roster have participated. For instance, wing Dawson Baker is still on his honeymoon.

Young met with local reporters who cover the Cougars for the first time since his introductory news conference on Thursday, answering questions for 10 minutes on a variety of topics. He said his family is still in the Phoenix area as his children finish up the school year there and complete a couple of summer camps for which they were registered.

Kevin Young speaks with Dallin Hall after practice at BYU in Provo on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

He said he and his wife, Melissa, are “getting close” to purchasing a home in Utah County.

So we got a couple personal things we got to take care of in the next week or so, but after that, we feel like we will start making the full transition.

Young said he feels like he’s “coming out from under the hole we were buried in for a little bit,” and “getting a lot of stuff checked off the list.”

The Cougars have been practicing a couple of hours every day since Monday.

With the team shaping up and the coaching staff in place, the focus now shifts to the upcoming season. Will the Cougars be able to make a strong impression in their first year in the Big 12? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure - Kevin Young is working tirelessly to ensure his team is ready for the challenge ahead.