Steve Young Returns to BYU in Game-Changing Role for Football Program

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬: 𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞, 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐘𝐔 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐰𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐗) 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲’𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠, 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐬….

Steve Young Returns to BYU in Game-Changing Role for Football Program

Provo, Utah — July 7, 2025

In a stunning and widely celebrated announcement, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl XXIX champion Steve Young is making a triumphant return to his alma mater, Brigham Young University (BYU) — not as a quarterback, but in a pivotal new leadership position designed to shape the next era of Cougar football.

Young, who starred as BYU’s signal-caller in the early 1980s before becoming an NFL legend with the San Francisco 49ers, has accepted the newly created role of Executive Advisor for Football Innovation and Culture within the BYU football program. The position, established by BYU Athletics in partnership with the university’s administration, aims to leverage Young’s elite football acumen, leadership philosophy, and national profile to elevate the program as it continues to navigate the ever-evolving world of collegiate athletics.

A Vision for the Future

Speaking at a packed press conference at the BYU Student Athlete Building, Young expressed deep gratitude and excitement at the opportunity to give back to the institution that launched his storied career.

> “BYU gave me everything — an education, a team, a platform to grow,” Young said. “This isn’t about reliving the past. It’s about helping BYU football dream bigger, reach higher, and lead with purpose in a time of unprecedented change in college sports.”

In his new role, Young will work closely with head coach Kalani Sitake, Athletic Director Tom Holmoe, and the university’s NIL and recruiting operations. His responsibilities will include:

Advising on offensive strategy and quarterback development

Helping shape program culture and leadership development

Supporting athlete mentorship, mental wellness, and personal branding

Playing an active role in national recruiting efforts

Representing BYU on a national stage through media and alumni relations

A Homecoming Decades in the Making

Young’s return has generated enthusiasm among Cougar Nation and beyond. A graduate of the class of 1984, Young famously led BYU to a 1983 Holiday Bowl win and a No. 7 national ranking, setting 13 NCAA records along the way. He later became a two-time NFL MVP and earned a Super Bowl MVP in the 49ers’ 49–26 rout of the San Diego Chargers.

Coach Kalani Sitake, clearly energized by the announcement, called Young’s addition a “transformational moment” for the program.

> “Steve is a legend, but more importantly, he’s a mentor, a thinker, and a builder of people. His presence here signals to every recruit, parent, and fan that BYU is not just participating — we’re leading,” said Sitake.

Fans and Analysts React

The move has been met with overwhelming support across the college football landscape. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit called it “a masterstroke by BYU,” adding that “few programs can offer a direct connection to football greatness like this.”

BYU fans flooded social media with excitement, using hashtags like #YoungReturns and #LegendBackHome. The announcement even drew comments from 49ers greats Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, both of whom offered their congratulations.

An Era Begins

With BYU now competing in the Big 12 and adjusting to the dynamics of NIL, the transfer portal, and heightened competition, Steve Young’s involvement represents both a nod to the university’s storied past and a bold investment in its future.

As Young concluded at the press conference, with his familiar charisma and sincerity:

> “This isn’t a job — it’s a mission. And I’m all in.”

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BYU Football’s future just got a whole lot brighter — and it’s wearing No. 8 in spirit once again.

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Written by:

Jordan Hale

BYU Sports Correspondent

The Cougar Chronicle