Ashleigh Gnat returns to LSU Gymnastics as assistant coach
LSU gymnastics alumni Ashleigh Gnat is heading back to Tiger Town!
The 17-time All-American, four-time Southeastern Conference champion, and 2017 NCAA floor champion is returning to Baton Rouge to serve as an assistant coach under head coach Jay Clark, following the retirement of the legendary D-D Breaux.
“It is an incredible honor and blessing to be named the assistant coach at my alma mater,” Gnat said in a statement. “I am grateful for my experience as a part of the staff at Penn State over the last year, where I learned a tremendous amount. Baton Rouge and LSU were home to me for six years, and it fills me with joy and excitement to be a part of this new chapter of LSU Gymnastics.”
Gnat joins current assistant coach Bob Moore and volunteer coach Ashleigh Clare-Kearney Thigpen on staff. The group has combined to coach 18 national champions and Gnat and Clare-Kearney captured NCAA championships as gymnasts at LSU.
“I could not be happier to have ‘Bugs’ come back home to re-join us in this full-time capacity,” Clark said. “She has done what is necessary to pursue this career and has always conducted herself in a manner worthy of leadership and trust. She was one of the major faces for our team during the explosion in fan support, and I know our fans will love have her familiar face back in the PMAC helping to lead us toward championships.”
The 2017 AAI Award winner and two-time LSU graduate remained in Baton Rouge for two years after her retirement, working on staff as a graduate assistant. In 2019, Gnat joined the Penn State gymnastics team as an assistant coach in her first full-time coaching position.
During her time in State College, Gnat primarily worked with the floor lineup and will undoubtedly contribute significantly in coaching that apparatus for the Tigers.
“It just made sense at every level,” Clark added. “She is a known commodity to our staff, our team, our community and fans. She is a Tiger through and through, and will bring a passion for her alma mater with her. Truly, this was a no brainer, and was the absolute best choice for us to maintain stability while we seek to take our next steps towards the program’s ultimate goal of winning a National Championship.”
