Following five-straight losing seasons, Seattle University’s women’s basketball team was at a crossroads this offseason. The Redhawks had the lowest-scoring offense in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) this year and were among the worst three teams in points allowed.

Administration decided to go with a complete staff makeover, parting ways with longtime coach Suzy Barcomb and the entire assistant coaching regime. That decision initiated a search for a new head coach that lasted nearly a month and culminated in the hiring of Skyler Young, a former assistant coach at the University of Portland.

Young’s experience as an assistant coach is extensive. In addition to two NCAA Tournament berths at Portland, Young spent time coaching with Western Michigan University, the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, the University of Detroit Mercy, Bradley University and Weber State. He managed the offenses at both Bradley and Weber State, engineering extremely efficient attacks with both programs.

But through all the experience, Young has never been a head coach. Taking on a Seattle program with recent struggles will not be an easy task—he is currently the only coach on the roster—but one Young feels he is more than qualified to embrace.

The following is a condensed interview with Skyler Young from April 24. 

QA: What experiences could you point to that prepared you for this role? What motifs for success did you notice in your previous roles?

SY: “It’s the old Rick Pitino quote, ‘Coaches don’t make it to the hall of fame because they’re a great coach, they make it because they had great players too and they had ideas,’ and that’s the same thing with my career. What got me to this point—as a coach—I was fortunate enough to coach some great players…

“…The Alex Fowler’s and the Haylee Andrews’ at Portland, they helped this opportunity happen, and these young ladies here are going to help more opportunities happen—far as us putting another banner up there, hopefully.”

 QA: How do you recruit and sell this program that has had its struggles to potential recruits you’re looking at?

SY: “Well, we’re going to play a whole different style of play…

“…As far as recruiting, the style of play, the team got a taste of it today at practice. Like, we’re going to play fast. We’re gonna play free… 

“…So the way we’re going to recruit: Very athletic, shooters, people who can get to the rack as well.”

QA: What will you look for in a coaching staff?

SY: “I think you definitely got to look at, truly, your weaknesses…

“…I need people I can trust and depend on to pick up the slack on things that I can’t do. But first, the number one thing, I’m just looking for good people, basketball second…

“So first of all, good people, work ethic and then they definitely got to recruit. Got to want to recruit, got to love it.”

QA: You’ve described Seattle as a “home away from home.” What led you to this program?

SY: “I mean, God. I truly feel that way…

“…I took my finals early from Western Michigan to come out and work for the Seattle Storm, and I literally packed five duffel bags with like $200 in my pocket. Didn’t know what I was going to do, didn’t know where I was going to live. And you know, it kind of worked out, and I just loved it when I was out here…

“…My whole career I’ve been working, like a little circle if you plot out, trying to get back out here.”

QA: You just met the team last week, what were your first impressions? How does the roster fit in with the style of play you want to institute?

SY: “I can see they’re hungry to learn more…

“…If you got that mentality already, you’re embracing everything. [And in] the practice we had today–I mean–I put them through a couple of tough things today, and they soaked it up, and they were attentive…

“…Passion, hustle, determination: P.H.D.’s. Everyone’s going to be like that.”

QA: The team has had its struggles, but we’ve seen quick turnarounds in college basketball. How do you plan on making this team competitive in the WAC next season?

SY: “With the roster we have right now, we totally can [compete]. I saw glimpses watching a couple of games towards the end of the season with this roster presently constructed…

“…Anything can happen if you focus in, concentrate on each other, uplift each other, be united with each other through the ups and downs–ignore the noise…

“…Anything can happen if you just have that confidence and belief in each other, so who knows? Sky’s the limit.”

Young will continue his search for a surrounding coaching staff as the Redhawks look toward a new beginning in the upcoming Fall 2023 season.