New USU gymnastics coach anxious to improve on recent success

USU Athletics Media Relations

LOGAN – Amy Smith was working as an associate head coach with the University of North Carolina gymnastics program when she became aware of the “buzz” surrounding the Utah State gymnastics team. The Aggies, led by head coach Nadalie Walsh, were on the rise. In her four seasons at USU, Walsh led the team to four-straight regional appearances and broke into the top 25.

It had long been a goal of Smith’s to become a head coach, so when it was announced that Walsh was leaving to become the head gymnastics coach at the University of Illinois, Smith jumped on the opportunity to be interviewed for the USU position. It was a chance to take over a program that was already moving in the right direction.

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Smith had put in her time as an assistant. Before spending the last five years at UNC, she coached at Missouri, Florida, Kentucky and UCLA, her alma mater.  It was announced on July 17 that she would be bringing her 16 years of coaching experience to Logan as the new head coach.

Smith knows the recent success of USU’s program, and she believes she can push it further. She said there is a real advantage to taking over a program already on the rise.

“I really feel like there’s more to come,” she said. “I think the team is just scratching the surface on what they can do.”

Smith isn’t in Logan yet, and has only been to Cache Valley once, but it was long enough to meet some of her future team. The attitude the coach saw in the gymnasts has made her anxious to get to Logan, and get to work.

“In the short amount of time I spent with the team they seemed so competitive and want to be achieving more, which is really exciting as a new coach walking into something,” Smith said. “You know, you get a little taste of something and then you want more of it, you want to do better.”

She said she’ll finish up at North Carolina July 31, load up her car and be in her new office by mid-August. She said the scenery in Logan was stunning and is looking forward to her move.

“I hear there is great support in the community for gymnastics,” she said. “I’m excited to get to know the fans and get to know the community and be a part of that.”

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