Julie McCombs
Brody Young, 12, leads Kameron Laue (55) through a gauntlet of youth football players at Dooley Field on Friday night. Brody is the son of coach Will Young.
Brody, 12, is the son of Greer Head Coach Will Young. This is Brody’s first year at Greer Middle School and the first time father and son enjoy each other’s company after school. Will is coaching Greer for the ninth season and his wife, Michelle, is the head volleyball coach at Furman University.
“He’s just now seeing the positive side of being in sports,” Will said.
“It’s the first time (Brody) and I spend the day together after school. I enjoy having him out there with me,” Will said. “He comes over (to GHS) after school and is at practice with us.” Brody has shot some video and attends to other on the field errands to facilitate practices run without interruption for footballs and equipment.
The bond on the field between father and son has been nurturing the past several years. In past years Brody and his sisters, Bailey, 8, and Bella, 4, routinely joined their father immediately after games. Regardless of the outcome, Will’s demeanor transferred from coach to father. “Yeah, it’s special when they are out there,” he said.
At the end of the first day of school in August, Brody joined his father in his office. Will playfully reminded Brody the importance of wearing his school ID. “Don’t be like your father,” Will said, smiling, and pointing to where his ID should have been.
Brody will play organized football next year for the D team, comprised of sixth and seventh graders. Will was an offensive lineman his entire career and was recruited by major colleges. His boyhood dream was to play football for Clemson University and fulfilled it while being named to the All-Academic team.
“(Brody) is a good athlete,” Will said. “I don’t know if he will play line or not.”
Will said Brody, “Definitely is different personality wise,” than his father.
Friday night the Greer Recreation League was recognized for its partnership with Greer High School. The youth were allowed on the field and took advantage to get pictures and autographs.
Brody already enjoys that daily access. “Having my kid around football is real nice and fun,” Will said. “I don’t how interested he is in what I’m doing. I looked over one time during the game and he was playing football with a bunch of kids.”