There have been a lot of talks about Jay Clark’s move to the Georgia GymDogs. With Clark himself chiming in with the statement, “We are not going anywhere”, it became clear that the LSU team remains unchanged. On the other hand, the GymDogs were again out there finding a replacement for its now-former coach Courtney Kupets Carter. Amid the entire saga, Simone Biles‘ trainer Cecile Canqueteau-Landi has been entrusted with the role. The official report from the University of Georgia has put a final stamp on the startling revelation. 

As per J Reid Parker, the Director of Athletics of the University of Georgia gymnastics program, Cecile Landi and Ryan Roberts will move to the co-head coaches’ position for the GymDogs. Landi, who was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2023, has been a personal coach to Simone Biles since 2017, alongside her husband Laurent Landi. Despite being associated with one of the most successful gymnasts in history, Cecile could not hold back her emotions as she received the new responsibility.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to be the new co-head coach of the GymDogs with Ryan. I am looking forward to work with team soon! I would like to thank Josh Brooks,Stephanie Ransom the entire UGAA staff for this opportunity,” she said, acknowledging the assignment. Meanwhile, the World Champions Centre also put a congratulatory message for the veteran coach through its X-handle. With that, GymDogs’ recent crisis with finding a mentor looks to have settled. Let us take a look at how things unfolded in the saga.

Can Cecile Landi uphold the Simone Biles magic in Georgia? 

It all started with the dismissal of Courtney Kupets Carter, who was at the helm of affairs for seven seasons. But in that fairly long stint, she could not fetch any title to the program. Therefore, the authorities felt the need for a change in the leadership. Jay Clark’s name was afloat for all the right reasons. But that did not materialize eventually.

Among other options, they had a few candidates who already had the experience to train college gymnasts. Therefore, the Athens camp had got in touch with the duo Liz Crandall-Howell and Justin Howell from the California Bears. The Bears achieved the runner-up position behind Jay Clark’s LSU Tigers last week in Fort Worth. However, things didn’t see much light there as well. Meanwhile, Cecile Landi’s name came up in the discussion.

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Cecile’s coaching resume is impressive, indeed. Apart from Simone Biles, stars like Alyssa Baumann, Jordan Chiles, Madison Kocian, and Joscelyn Roberson have also got into shape with Landi’s guidance. But there is one counter-argument.

Cecile Landi’s success factor thoroughly revolves around elite gymnastics. She does not hold much recognition in NCAA gymnastics compared to the above names. Despite being the same sport, elite and college gymnastics have some prominent differences. College gymnastics is more focused on picking up perfect 10s while not including too many complicated moves into the routine. Whereas, elite gymnastics is all about complicated moves and performing them with perfection.

But it seems that Cecile’s attachment with someone as huge as Simone Biles has significantly favored her selection. On that count, she moved ahead of veteran NCAA coaches like Jordyn Wieber (the Razorbacks’ coach), Owen Field (the Gators’ assistant coach), and Tim Garrison (the Kentucky coach). It remains to be seen if Cecile lives up to the expectation by bringing her elite touch to Georgia’s gymnastics program.