Ervin Young is no stranger to hard work, and now he’s bringing that same grit, passion, and relentless energy to the Miami Hurricanes football program. As the newly appointed Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, Young’s mission is clear: elevate the standard. With a mantra centered around being driven, relentless, and uncompromising in his pursuit of greatness, Young is setting the tone for a new era in Miami football—one where excellence is expected and mediocrity has no place.
From the moment Young stepped onto the field at the University of Miami’s training facilities, players and coaches alike could feel the shift. The air became heavier—not with pressure, but with purpose. “We’re not just training bodies, we’re building warriors,” Young said during one of his first team sessions. That mentality has rippled throughout the program, pushing every player to look inward and redefine their limits.
Young’s background in athletic performance isn’t just impressive—it’s transformative. He spent years cultivating elite training programs at both the collegiate and professional levels. His previous stints at institutions like Minnesota and Wisconsin showcased not only his innovative approach to strength training but also his deep understanding of how to cultivate a championship culture. In every program he’s touched, Young has left a trail of stronger, faster, and more mentally resilient athletes in his wake.
What sets Young apart, however, isn’t just the science of training—it’s the psychology of greatness. His workouts don’t simply challenge muscle groups; they challenge mindsets. Whether it’s a grueling 5 a.m. lift or a late-night conditioning session under the stadium lights, Young’s presence commands effort. “This isn’t punishment,” he often tells his athletes. “This is preparation.”
Under his guidance, Miami players are already showing signs of transformation. The once-inconsistent offseason routines are now replaced by focused, individualized development plans. Nutrition, recovery, mental toughness, and leadership training are now central pillars of the strength program. And it’s not just the physical development that’s turning heads—players are walking taller, speaking with more confidence, and attacking each day with renewed purpose.
Sophomore linebacker Marcus Thompson described Young’s influence as “a wake-up call.” He added, “Coach Young doesn’t just want to help us lift more or run faster. He wants us to be champions in every area of our lives—on the field, in the classroom, and off it. That’s a whole new level of accountability.”
This holistic approach is no accident. Young has always believed that greatness starts far beyond the weight room. His motto, “Be driven in everything,” resonates deeply with a Miami team that’s hungry to return to national prominence. Every detail matters under his leadership—from the way players warm up, to how they hydrate, to the words they speak to themselves in moments of adversity.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, a former offensive lineman known for his intense focus on player development, handpicked Young for a reason. “Ervin brings a relentless standard of excellence,” Cristobal said. “He’s not just building strength—he’s building belief. And belief is what separates good teams from great ones.”
Cristobal’s vision for Miami aligns seamlessly with Young’s: restore the Hurricanes to their former glory by instilling discipline, resilience, and pride. It’s a tall order, but Young isn’t interested in doing things halfway. He’s here to redefine what it means to wear the U.
One of the most striking elements of Young’s program is its attention to detail. Every session is meticulously planned with data-driven precision. Wearable tech monitors each athlete’s output, ensuring that workloads are optimized and injuries minimized. Recovery protocols are enhanced with cold therapy, personalized stretching regimens, and mental conditioning exercises led by a dedicated sports psychology team.
But while technology and planning play a major role, the heart of the program is human. It’s the connection between coach and athlete that fuels progress. Young is known for his ability to connect with players on a deeper level, learning what drives them, what scares them, and what motivates them to push past their perceived limits.
In team meetings, he speaks with the intensity of a general preparing his soldiers for battle. In one such meeting, he reminded his players that “Championships aren’t won on Saturdays—they’re earned in the dark, in the sweat, in the grind that nobody sees.” That quote is now etched above the entrance to the Miami weight room, a daily reminder of the commitment required.
The ripple effect is being felt beyond the walls of the training facility. Recruits and their families are taking notice of Miami’s renewed energy and commitment to player development. High school coaches around the country are hearing stories of the Hurricanes’ unmatched offseason intensity, and some of the nation’s top prospects are now placing Miami on their shortlist—not just because of tradition, but because of transformation.
It’s no coincidence that in recent recruiting cycles, Miami has landed several top-tier athletes known not only for their talent, but for their character and work ethic. “When they visit now,” said recruiting coordinator Jason Taylor, “they see a culture of toughness, of accountability, of excellence. That’s Ervin’s fingerprint.”
Yet for all the momentum, Young remains laser-focused. He knows there’s no shortcut to success, no hack to build a culture. “The work,” he says, “is the secret.” Every rep, every sprint, every drop of sweat is a brick laid in the foundation of what Miami football is becoming.
And that future looks bright. With Young at the helm of the program’s physical and mental development, the Hurricanes are entering the season stronger, faster, and more unified than they’ve been in years. Fans can expect to see a team that doesn’t flinch in the fourth quarter, doesn’t crumble in the face of adversity, and doesn’t settle for anything less than excellence.
The buzz is real, and it’s only growing. Former Miami greats have returned to campus, inspired by what they’re seeing. The alumni base, once cautiously optimistic, is now rallying around a program that looks—and feels—different.
Ervin Young didn’t come to Miami to maintain the status quo. He came to raise the bar. To set a new standard. To create a culture so committed, so fierce, and so unified that it becomes impossible to ignore. And if early signs are any indication, he’s well on his way.
The Hurricanes’ strength and conditioning program isn’t just a department anymore—it’s a movement. A movement defined by discipline, driven by purpose, and led by a man who refuses to accept anything less than greatness.
As the season draws near, the message inside the Miami locker room is simple and direct: be driven, be relentless, and elevate the standard.
Thanks to Ervin Young, those aren’t just words—they’re the new foundation of Miami football.
