Scott Young said in a text message to the Salisbury Post he is stepping down as head coach at West Rowan for the 2015 season. He is making the move, he said, “to focus on getting healthier & a new heart.”

He is not completely walking away from the program. Young said he still plans to stay on and coach the Falcons “in some capacity.” His replacement will be announced Tuesday.

Young had open heart surgery March 31 at Carolinas Medical Center just outside of downtown Charlotte. In a procedure lasting about six hours, a ventricular assist device was implanted in his chest to pump blood through his body. Young is currently on a waiting list to receive a heart transplant.

Young, who is 172-54 as a head coach, took over the Falcons’ program in 1998. Under his leadership, West Rowan won three straight 3A state championships from 2008-10 and was a 3A state finalist in 2011. West Rowan has not had a losing season since Young’s first year at the helm of the program.

The Post will have more on this story.