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Cumberland University

Photo by Lara Silva
Lara Silva / Miami Athletics
Ervin Young with the Cotton Bowl trophy following Miami's win over Ohio State. (PHOTO CREDIT: MIAMI ATHLETICS)

Football

From Cumberland to the National Championship: Ervin Young on College Football’s Biggest Stage

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland University will have a familiar connection on college football's biggest stage next week, as former student-athlete Ervin Young prepares for the National Championship game with the Miami Hurricanes, who will face the Indiana Hoosiers on Monday in Miami.

Miami enters the national championship game with a 13-2 record, advancing through the College Football Playoffs with wins over Texas A&M in the First Round, Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, and Ole Miss in the semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl. The Hurricanes earned their first berth in a national championship game since 2003.

Young, a Cumberland graduate and former running back, returned to Miami in 2025 and currently serves as an associate strength and conditioning coach, playing a key role in preparing the Hurricanes for one of the most demanding moments of the season. In his role, Young works daily with Miami's football student-athletes on strength development, recovery, and in-season performance management leading into game week.

Before rejoining Miami, Young spent the 2024 season at Tennessee, following an earlier stint with the Hurricanes during the 2022-23 seasons. He also brought valuable Power Five experience from the University of Missouri, where he worked on the Tigers' strength and conditioning staff for two seasons, most recently as the associate director of football athletic performance. His resume further includes stops at Vanderbilt (2019-20) as an assistant strength and conditioning coach and the University of Kansas (2014-19) as an assistant director of strength and conditioning.

Over his playing career at Cumberland, Young appeared in 28 games, contributing as a versatile offensive weapon. He rushed for multiple touchdowns during his time with the Phoenix, including a four-touchdown freshman season, before providing depth and experience throughout his junior and senior campaigns.

Following his playing career, Young earned his bachelor's degree from Cumberland in 2011 and completed his master's degree in sport exercise pedagogy in 2014. While earning his master's at Cumberland, Young served as a graduate assistant helping launch a coaching and performance career that has now reached college football's highest level.

Young is a certified strength and conditioning coach through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) and a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

As Miami prepares for the national title matchup, Young's role on the Hurricanes' sports performance staff highlights the impact of Cumberland alumni across the collegiate athletics landscape. From the Phoenix backfield to the national championship sidelines, Young's path underscores Cumberland University's lasting presence on college football's biggest stage when the lights shine brightest.

Photo by Elijah HeatleyPhoto by Elijah Heatley
Photo by Lara SilvaPhoto by Heather Suarez

PHOTO CREDIT: MIAMI ATHLETICS
 
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