Jeff Young '81

Jeff went on to join the US Army, where he served a 191-day stint in the Persian Gulf War as a psychological operations specialist attached to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. During his time in the military he met and married the love of his life, Dianne. After the Army, he went on to graduate summa cum laude with a degree in Kinesiology awarded by The University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

In the following years, Jeff returned to Trinity School where his athletic journey had truly begun. He served students and athletes at Trinity for 20 years fulfilling many functions, including Athletic Director and Dean of Students. Jeff served as Co-Athletic Director alongside Chris Jauz for six years and was the sole Athletic Director for five years. During this time, Trinity claimed 35 State Championships across a variety of sports. Beyond his role as Athletic Director, Jeff was also directly involved as a team coach, leading the volleyball team to a state win, winning two basketball championships and assisting in a third. Jeff also had the privilege of coaching his son, Alex, and daughter, Rebecca, as their teams attained multiple state championships. Jeff encouraged and pushed Trinity athletes towards consistent excellence.

During his time at Trinity, Jeff dedicated himself to ensuring the Trinity community thrived. He modeled servant leadership by organizing countless service projects for Trinity students, including food packing for refugees and third world countries with Numana, providing jackets to Kurdish children through Operation Restore Hope, and giving Christmas gifts to the loved ones of prisoners with LOOPS. Jeff encouraged family participation at football games by hosting Picnic on the Wall, where he invited Trinity families to home games, letting kids and parents climb the rock wall in Heck Gym. Veteran’s Day is a holiday near and dear to Jeff’s heart, and he relished the opportunity to give the annual Veterans Day Chapel talk, instilling a love of country in our students. Jeff also worked closely with head of Upper School, Chuck Bell, to organize and implement Expeditionary Learning trips, and even chaperoned the 8th grade Outdoor School trip for 19 years. Coach Young continues to stay connected with the School, never missing an alumni gathering opportunity, and is even known for  driving hundreds of miles to check on former students and meet up with former colleagues. 

In 2018, Jeff and his family moved to Waco. Pursuing a different career path in commercial real estate, he worked at Keller Williams Waco for five years. After finishing in the top 25% of agents in his first year, he was appointed to the Agent Leadership Council. He is currently serving on the Board of Hoops for Hope International, and runs the Hoops for Hope program for the Dean Highland Elementary School. He also serves as a Deacon at Highland Baptist Church in Waco. Recently, Jeff has rejoined the world of athletics and education by assuming the role of Dean of Students and Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Vanguard College Preparatory School in Waco. Always having a heart for service, he started the Chloe Grace Project, a 52 week kindness challenge. Jeff named this special project after his aunt Chloe, who modeled and exemplified kindness to Jeff and his mother.

In addition to his professional and philanthropic success, Jeff’s greatest roles in life include those of husband and father. He and his wife, Dianne, raised two children, Alex and Rebecca, while living in Midland.  Following the family’s move to Waco, Dianne retired from teaching math with 30 years of service in public education. She has since resumed her teaching role working at Baylor University as a full time math teacher. Jeff and Dianne passed their love of education and athletics to their two children. Their son, Alex, teaches Physical Education and Athletic Development at Sycamore Springs Middle School in Dripping Springs, Texas. Rebecca, their daughter, leads a 3rd grade class at San Marcos Academy and coaches the girls soccer team. Rebecca married Sam Durhman in 2022, and Alex was recently engaged to Brooke Baus. 

Throughout his life, Jeff has been fortunate to work with many great administrators, teachers, staff, and students.  Sir Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”  Jeff feels privileged to have stood on the shoulders of several educational “giants,” many of whom have been recognized in the Trinity Hall of Honor in past years.  Jeff’s 20 years of service to Trinity left a lasting impact of excellence on Trinity School, the remnants of which will likely be felt for many years to come.