Jack Young excelled as a coach and administrator during his educational career. A graduate of East Carolina, Young compiled a brilliant record as a coach at Ahoskie High School. His football teams were 128-36-4 in 16 years and won eight league titles, including a 24-game win streak and a 12-game string in which his teams didn't give up a single point.  His football squads won four state titles, and his basketball teams garnered seven conference championships. He became principal of Ahoskie in 1963 and served there four years before becoming the first president of Roanoke-Chowan Technical College, holding that position until 1980. Young was on the board of the North Carolina Coaches Association and played prominent roles in both church and community activities in Hertford County.