Chad Young Named Coach of the Year
The longtime South Warren tennis coach received the honor after a standout 2026 season.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Tennis
USTA Kentucky selected Chad Young as the 2026 Bennie Purcell Coach of the Year. Young has served as the tennis coach at South Warren since 2010.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the success of the South Warren tennis program under Young's leadership over the past sixteen years. This award honors coaches who demonstrate significant impact within Kentucky high school tennis.
The South Warren girls' team finished the 2026 season with a 25-4 record. They secured the Region 4 title by defeating Greenwood 3-1.
The players
Chad Young
He is the tennis coach at South Warren who has led the program since 2010.
USTA Kentucky
This is the governing organization that oversees tennis programs and coaching awards within the state.
Cesca Poole
She is a South Warren athlete who won the Region 4 girls' singles tennis title.
Harris Shahbaz
He is a student athlete who captured the Region 4 boys' singles tennis title.
Peyton Lemily
She is a tennis player who teamed with Paisley Harris to win the Region 4 girls' doubles championship.
The details
Under Young's direction, the South Warren girls' tennis team placed runner-up at the state tournament and swept the Region 4 titles. Region 4 individual winners included Cesca Poole in girls' singles, Harris Shahbaz in boys' singles, and Peyton Lemily and Paisley Harris in girls' doubles.
Timeline
Chad Young began his coaching tenure at South Warren in 2010.
Young received the Coach of the Year honor for the 2026 season.
The awards recognition ceremony will take place on Jan. 30, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Louisville.
Season Trajectory
This accolade marks a high point for the South Warren tennis program in the context of the Bennie Purcell Coach of the Year award. The recognition reflects the competitive momentum built within the regional hierarchy throughout the 2026 season.
The regional dominance of South Warren throughout 2026 establishes them as the primary program to watch for future state tournament seeding. Players like Cesca Poole and the doubles team of Peyton Lemily and Paisley Harris serve as key indicators of the team's ongoing competitive depth.
The takeaway
Effective high school coaching programs rely on consistent long-term development of multi-year rosters. Aspiring athletes can look to the recent success of regional champions as a benchmark for training intensity and competitive play.
What happens next
Chad Young will be honored during an official awards recognition ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Louisville on Jan. 30, 2027.
Further reading
For more news on local athletes and programs, visit our Tennis section.
