But the widely-respected Otago assistant coach has no plans to sulk or surrender as the clock counts down towards the liquidation of the Otago Rugby Football Union.
"I'm going about my business as usual. I suppose it hasn't really sunk in yet," Mr Young said yesterday.
"I guess I'll find out in the next day or two if I've got a job. I'm trying to look forward. My attitude is that there is some life there.
"I'm still running some courses this weekend. And I'll be training the boys on Monday and Wednesday, as usual. The players just want to get on with things, and I want to help them.
"If I'm not a part of the business next week, I'll still be doing what I love doing. But it's tough. I might have to find another job." Mr Young does not want to consider the prospect of no Otago team in the ITM Cup this year.
"I don't want to lie down. The boys don't want to lie down. We've got to stay positive and do what we love doing.
"These are young men who have a short window to play top rugby. They've got responsibilities, mortgages and living costs.
"We've got a hard-working crew. There are about 30 of them. I don't think any of them would turn away the opportunity of playing for Otago.
"There are a lot of born-and-bred guys who just want to play for Otago.
"Some of them already said they'd do it for nothing."
Nevertheless, Mr Young conceded Otago might lose players.
He confirmed other unions had already been making inquiries.
He was confident new coach Tony Brown would return from Japan as planned and do what he could to rebuild Otago on the field.
"He's looking to the future, as I am. He wants to work hard to make sure we have a competitive Otago team on the park.
"He's made of steel, Browny. Both him and I are not going to give up. We've been given a job to do. He's definitely coming back home."
Mr Young, who played 50 games for Otago as a rugged loose forward between 1980 and 1985, and has worked for the union as a resource coach and development officer, had heard murmurs of the ORFU's grave financial plight.
It still came as a shock when employees were told, just half an hour before Monday's annual meeting, of probable liquidation.
Mr Young is not into finger-pointing, or looking backwards. He is just sad Otago rugby finds itself in such a state.
"Otago is a proud union. I've been part of it for a long time, and I've sweated blood in the jersey.
"I'm not angry. I don't know what the word is. I just never thought something like this could happen.
"It's an empty feeling in the guts that won't go away."
