Ashley Priess-Johnston Named Head Coach of Alabama Gymnastics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ashley Priess-Johnston is coming house. 

The previous Alabama gymnast was introduced because the Crimson Tide’s subsequent gymnastics head coach Monday night. Johnston will likely be formally launched at a press convention on Friday. 

She replaces Dana Duckworth who stepped down as head coach final week.

“We’re past excited to have Ashley Johnston take over the reins of our gymnastics program as our head coach,” Alabama athletics director Byrne stated by way of a launch. “Everybody we have spoken to holds her within the highest regards as a coach, mentor and chief, together with long-time head coach Sarah Patterson, who I’ve had great conversations with throughout this search and I actually respect her help. All through this course of with Ashley, we have been very impressed together with her dedication to the full student-athlete. One of many grittiest and most completed opponents in our program’s proud historical past, she has translated her achievements as a gymnast right into a standout profession as a coach, and we’re thrilled to have her again in Tuscaloosa.”

Johnston was a 10-time All-American and member of back-to-back NCAA Championship groups. She is finest recognized for closing out the 2012 NCAA Championships with a near-perfect stability beam routine to clinch Alabama’s sixth nationwide group title.

“I’m honored to be trusted as your new head gymnastics coach,” Johnston stated. “Thanks to Greg Byrne and the superb govt group for permitting me to share my imaginative and prescient, ardour and dedication to student-athlete well-being and to the way forward for this storied program. I sit up for reconnecting with each considered one of you. With a really full coronary heart, I need to say, ‘Thanks,’ and ‘Roll Tide!’”

Johnston involves Alabama after spending the previous 4 seasons because the affiliate head coach at Auburn. She helped lead the Tigers to their highest-ever end final yr as Auburn ranked fourth nationally. Throughout her first season at Auburn, she earned WGCA Central Area Assistant Coach of the 12 months. Johnston began her collegiate teaching profession as an assistant at Illinois in 2018, spending one season with this system earlier than shifting to Auburn. 

Earlier than shifting into the school ranks, Johnston began her teaching profession on the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, the place she labored with CGA head coach Mary Lee Tracy on the Elite and developmental stage, whereas teaching the ground train and stability beam optionally available program.

Johnston is Alabama’s seventh head gymnastics coach since 1974 and third since 1979. The Crimson Tide has gained six NCAA Championships (1988, 1991, 1996, 2002, 2011, 2012), 10 SEC Championships and an NCAA-best 32 regional titles.

Ashley Priess-Johnston

The ten-time All-American and two-time Crimson Tide graduate was a part of back-to-back NCAA Championship groups throughout her time on the Capstone

Alabama Gymnastics Profession

Worldwide Gymnastics Profession

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