The LSU Gymnastics team launched their preseason with flair at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Jan. 2, lighting up the annual Open Mike Night. Fans were treated to electrifying routines from LSU standouts like Kylie Coen and Lexi Zeiss, but the true highlight was the triumphant return of former Tiger Haleigh Bryant, now stepping into her new role as assistant coach.
Bryant earned several accolades with LSU, including becoming the 2024 NCAA all-around champion and team national champion.
LSU Gymnastics Welcomes Haleigh Bryant in Style
Bryant became a Tiger before the 2020-21 season, making a memorable NCAA debut against Arkansas. Her freshman year sparkled with achievements, as she claimed the NCAA Vault title, was named SEC Freshman of the Year, and earned six All-America honors. After five remarkable years with LSU, Bryant hung up her leotard and embraced a new chapter as a coach.
Bryant’s return was welcomed in major uproar by the 4,472 Tiger fans in attendance, with Bryant unable to contain her smile. This also marked the largest attendance for Gym 101 in program history.
The Tigers will start their season on Saturday, Jan. 10th, at the third annual Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad in West Valley City, Utah, alongside No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 4 UCLA, and No. 5 Utah. They had a strong 2025 season, winning the SEC Championship and making it to the NCAA Semifinals.
Bryant Reveals How She Began Coaching at LSU
Bryant joins head coach Jay Clark and fellow assistants Garrett Griffeth and Courtney McCool Griffeth on the LSU Gymnastics coaching staff. It marks the start of a new journey for Bryant, who will look to replicate the success she had on the mat, both on and off it.
According to LSU Reveille, Bryant stated that working with Clark was a significant reason why she began coaching at LSU. Clark was named head coach of the Tigers in 2021, playing a big part in her journey at the university.
“I’ve known him since I was 6 years old when I lived in Georgia. If you would have told me when I was – don’t even know, the first time I saw him at my gym – so 6 or 7 years old, that I would be working alongside him, I would have told you guys that you were crazy.”
In the conversation, Bryant also mentioned that she has been enjoying her involvement in the recruitment process, stating that it has been enjoyable to showcase everything LSU has to offer. She also called the process rewarding.