Coach Youngblood and his 2016 boys team showing off their state title
Photo: MocoRunning
You are the only coach in Maryland track and field history to bring home a staggering 5 straight 4A indoor team titles. As one of the most successful coaches in Maryland track and field history, is there anything else you wish you had accomplished?
YB: This is a no-brainer as I wish we had had the OUTdoor 2020 track season. The team we had might have been the most potent teams NW had ever had. This potential State team would have marked out the 5th straight OUTDOOR state championship. Can you imagine, 5 straight indoor and 5 straight outdoor?
How has the team culture at Northwest changed with the 9+ years you've been coaching?
YB: I think the culture at NW was on a serious upswing but Covid years have taken its toll as it has at other schools. The program is still strong but the students now need more nurturing as they come back around to what used to be normal.
Outside of all the county, regional, and state titles that you've coached Northwest too, what do you think has been your biggest success as a coach off the track?
YB: The biggest success off the track is honestly 2 things. The Chess team won a National title as 2 of the track team were part of the team. One went on to win his section over 400 students and then went off to M.I.T and has since graduated. The other has to be my "Men's Study Group" I run at NW. We meet for 2-3 days a week in the evenings for tutoring in all subjects as well as SAT's. The group is appx 15 males who were in need of extra study time. Their GPA's all went up over an 8 week period.
What have been your greatest takeaways from coaching all of these years?
YB: Some of the greatest takeaways ....hmmm. Well, the fact that former athletes invite me to their weddings, college graduations and even over for meals is wild. To see one of my former runners go on to Med school and invite me to his graduation party was unreal. When I was invited to a policeman's graduation that was with my former runner/ jumper. During the early Covid years I was attending a wedding as a groomsman to a former runner. To have athletes constantly arrive in town from college and text me.." coach Blood, let's do lunch or hang out" is so heartwarming. These takeaways are things I cherish and will never forget.
Last but not least, are there any people you would like to thank for helping you be as successful as you are today?
YB: I wish I could thank everyone as my list grows for those who help me become a success. Hmmm...these are but a small list of those who've helped guide me. Pastor Frank and other clergymen, Mr. and Mrs. Colbert and family, My Damascus Families, Coaches ( Tolbert my mentor from day 1, Pelky an everyday friend, Rogers great friend, Martin a great friend, Monroe a close friend, Reeks a role model, Frank in Frederick, Parry a father friend, Dez a special friend, Hayes and so many other coaches), I thank Mrs. Singleton, Mr. Deandre, Mrs. Rossiter, Mrs. Tyler, Lisa, Mel Fields, Coach Corps, Kevin Milsted, Olivia, Mr. B, Ronnie, so many parents, Mrs. Greenlee, our media center, aour guidance dept, staff, the seafood manager at Giant, my neighbors, Ms. Seabolt, my neighbors, Coach Drummond.... and all the students that have come into my life. Last but not least, I would like to thank my number one colleague and friend... Coach Mike Neubeiser. This friendship help forge my plan for becoming the track coach at NW. We shook hands in the parking lot stadium and stated" what we would do if we ever became the head coaches at NW. He won a couple football State titles and I came out ok.