VYPE: When did you take over as AD, and what was your professional background prior to this position?
Brian Young: I have been Claremore’s Athletic Director for the last four years. I began my
career in Claremore in the fall of 1990. I taught and coached from 1990-2008. I became a principal 2008-2009 through 2021-2022. The last four years have been super rewarding.
VYPE: What is new in the athletic department, and are there any plans for future developments?
BY: Claremore is always working to build upon and improve our athletic facilities. We
recently built a new Performance Gym for our athletes and have a full-time strength coach. All athletes are required to be a part of the strength program. Our strength coach tailors all lifts to each sport. There are many other athletic improvements on the horizon.
VYPE: Why is community support essential to an athletic department?
BY: The Claremore community has always gone above and beyond. Some essential
examples would be: Monetary support for our programs, fan base support, booster club support, and the fact that Claremore is just a wonderful place to live. It is a large school with a small school atmosphere.
VYPE: What should parents of incoming freshmen know as their student-athletes prepare to compete at the varsity level?
BY: Incoming freshmen need to be prepared to make a commitment to our
performance gym requirements. We are here to become better athletes and to develop competitive programs. We ask that parents get involved with their child’s academic and athletic progress on a daily basis and allow them time to grow and develop.
VYPE: Which community partners and sponsors have supported your student-athletes this season?
BY: I could not begin to list all of the community partners without leaving someone
out. Many of our community businesses support our programs individually and as a whole. You can drive around our campus and see individual sports sponsors displayed at our fields. The businesses advertised on our jumbo board at the football field have contributed to all boys and girls sports.
VYPE: Given the changing landscape of high school athletics, what is your perspective on the current state of prep sports in Oklahoma, and how can the experience be improved for students?
BY: The biggest change within high school athletics is the new exception to the
OSSAA rule 8. This rule allows any athlete to one free transfer after eligibility has been established in the 9th grade. The schools who are investing in great coaches and continually improving facilities will be the ones capitalizing on this new exception. Also, coaching and facilities are only part of that success. Schools and communities must acknowledge the importance of great culture. People want their child to attend a school where their child is treated with respect and given the opportunity to excel. On the other hand, schools expect parents and fans to show good sportsmanship and be involved in their child’s educational experience. In Claremore, we have embraced this challenge and believe we are hitting the mark with our facility upgrades and culture. We also understand no one can be perfect.
VYPE: What is the biggest challenge you face as an athletic director in 2026?
BY: One of our biggest challenges has been generating revenue. We have not fallen short on providing high level equipment and experiences for our athletes and
programs, but we are never financially comfortable. Our goal at Claremore has been to provide our coaches and athletes with everything they need to succeed.
VYPE: How do you enjoy spending your free time away from school?
BY: I spend my free time fishing, hunting, and working around my house.
VYPE: What advice would you give to a first-time athletic director taking over a program?
BY: My advice to a new Athletic Director would be: Leave your ego at home. I don’t
know anyone who likes being around someone with a big ego. Don’t come to work as the boss every day. Come to work as a teammate instead. An athletic director’s job is to support and resource, not tell the coaches how to coach. Continue to build a positive culture within your athletic programs. Coaches treat athletes with respect, athletes treat coaches with respect, and athletes treat one another with respect. You are all in or all out. Hold spectators accountable for their actions. We are advertising our school district at every event. People don’t want to transfer their child to a school where fans are out of control.
VYPE: What is your message to the senior class of 2026, and what would you like returning students to know?
BY: I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the current seniors throughout their high school career. The last four years are probably the most memorable in my career. I have been at Claremore Public Schools for 36 years. I am retiring after this year and there willbe new leadership in the athletic department. The message I would like to send to returning students is that the standard is set and will not change. Claremore will continue to set high expectations for athletes, parents, coaches, and athletic facilities.
Claremore is a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
