Role: Head Track & Field Coach / Hurdles & Sprints

Email: afaison@chccs.k12.nc.us

Head Coach Abe Faison has been an integral part of Chapel Hill High School Track & Field since 2017, initially serving as an assistant coach under Joan Nesbit-Mabe before taking the helm as head coach in 2020.

Coach Abe’s coaching philosophy is rooted in his own journey as a competitor. After an All-State career at Southern Alamance High School, where he still holds school records in the hurdles, he earned a Division I athletic scholarship to Western Carolina University. As a Catamount, he went on to secure All-SoCon honors and set multiple school records of his own. This firsthand experience navigating everything from high school state meets to collegiate athletics deeply informs his modern approach to technical execution, seasonal training, and long-term athlete development.

Throughout his tenure with the Tigers, Coach Abe has focused on building a supportive, high-performance culture centered on integrity and steady progression. Under his guidance, Chapel Hill athletes routinely excel at the conference, regional, and NCHSAA state levels, continuing the program's strong tradition of track and field excellence in North Carolina.

Assistant Coach - Sprints & Relays

Randy Young was an all-state athlete in high school in the 200m and 400m and earned all-New England honors in the 200m. He ran at Dartmouth College, earning All-New England honors and also earning a trip to the NCAA Northeast Regionals (IC4A’s). Randy has head-coached local youth track and field since 2001 before moving into high school coaching in 2014 with Chapel Hill High School where he has continued to coach for 13 years.  An avid photographer, Randy provides track photos for parents and the school yearbook.

He and his wife Kelly have two children, each of whom ran for college programs his daughter Alexa for Emory University and his son Harrison at UNC.

Favorite Quote: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”

Assistant Coach - Distance / XC
Email: ktob925@gmail.com

Coach Keith O’Brien is the Head Cross Country Coach and Distance Track Coach at Chapel Hill High School, and is entering his fourth year with the program. A former All-State cross country and track athlete in high school, he went on to compete as a Division I scholarship athlete at University of Notre Dame, where he earned a varsity monogram as a member of the Fighting Irish cross country and track programs.

Drawing on his experience as both a high level athlete and coach, O’Brien’s coaching philosophy emphasizes long term athlete development, consistency, data driven performance analysis, and creating a positive team culture. He is committed to helping athletes maximize their potential while developing the habits, confidence, and resilience necessary for success both in competition and beyond the sport.

Assistant Coach - Throws

Entering his fourth season at Chapel Hill, Head Throws Coach Nedvonne Young brings over 20 years of championship-building experience across high school, private track clubs, and the football field.

A former Division I football standout at the University of Connecticut, Coach Young pairs his elite competitive background with academic excellence, holding a master's degree in sports management from Florida State University alongside 18 years of educator experience.

His coaching philosophy focuses on long-term personal growth, using track and field to build character and accountability. A dedicated husband, father of three, and mentor, Coach Young focuses daily on developing complete student-athletes who excel both in the throwing circle and in life.