The Coaching Staff of the 2024 Arkansas Razorbacks Gymnastics: Guiding the Gymbacks to New Heights
The University of Arkansas’ Gymbacks has been a powerhouse in collegiate gymnastics, consistently delivering strong performances in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the NCAA. This success can be attributed to an exceptional group comprising the coaching staff. As we look to the 2024 season, it’s worth taking a deep dive into the coaching team that has been instrumental in shaping the Gymbacks into formidable competitors.
At the program’s helm is Head Coach Jordyn Wieber, an Olympic gold medalist and an inspirational figure in gymnastics. Wieber’s appointment in 2019 marked a significant milestone for the program, bringing the team a fresh and dynamic approach. Under Wieber’s leadership, the Gymbacks have consistently improved their performance, most notably guiding the team to their 19th consecutive regional appearance in 2023 and consistently maintaining the program’s 18-year streak in the top 20.
Wieber’s influence extends beyond the team’s athletic performance. She has been instrumental in fostering a culture of excellence and growth, ensuring the athletes excel in areas of personal and career development, community engagement, and academic and athletic excellence. This holistic approach to coaching has undoubtedly contributed to the team’s consistent success and growth.
Alongside Wieber are Assistant Coaches Chris Brooks, Kyla Bryant, and Kyla Ross, each bringing unique skills and experiences to the coaching team.
Chris Brooks, a former men’s Olympic gymnast, joined the Gymbacks coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2019. Primarily coaching the uneven bars and vault, Brooks’ expertise and insight have been instrumental in achieving historic heights in these events. Thanks to Brooks’ coaching, the Gymbacks posted a program SEC Championships event record of 49.125 in 2023. His guidance also led freshman Lauren Williams to secure the team’s first individual NCAA Championships berth on vault since 2014.
Kyla Bryant, a former All-American and Pac-12 champion, brings a wealth of experience to the Gymbacks. Competing at Stanford from 2018 to 2022, Bryant finished her college career with an impressive 61 event titles and five All-Pac-12 honors. As an assistant coach, Bryant’s successful track record as an athlete and her fresh perspective have been invaluable assets to the Gymbacks.
Kyla Ross, another Olympic gold medalist and five-time NCAA champion, is completing the coaching roster. Ross joined the Gymbacks staff in 2021 as a volunteer assistant and quickly made her mark. Primarily coaching the team on beam, Ross has helped the Gymbacks post new program records on the event in both of her seasons with the team.
This coaching team’s collective expertise and experience are unmatched. With two Olympic gold medalists, a former men’s Olympic gymnast, and an All-American and Pac-12 champion on staff, the Gymbacks are in excellent hands. The team’s coaching staff has created a culture of excellence, pushing the athletes to reach their full potential and consistently improve their performance.
The 2024 season promises to be an exciting one for the Gymbacks. With this extraordinary team of coaches leading the way, we can expect the Gymbacks to continue their upward trajectory in collegiate gymnastics. It will be fascinating to see how far this coaching staff can take them and what new milestones the team will achieve in the upcoming season.
