re: Remove

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How important is it to have college experience? Would an experienced level 10 coach be a good alternative?

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Hiring a top level 10 coach would be a much safer hire than hiring an analyst/commentator solely due to their former status as an Olympian.

College experience is important but there are a lot of great coaches in the elite/JO world too.

Aleah’s double Arabian to front tuck

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An Olympian from a decade ago has far less likelihood of turning the head of a gymnast today. Gymnasts like Ashley Gnat and Sarah Finnegan who only recently won the gymnastic Heisman trophy would be more relevant. Imagine being on a recruiting trip to LSU and Gnat is showing you around the facility with her own glittering trophy case. Seems to be instant credibility over someone who had a moment of fame in a foreign country 10 years ago.

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I will say this, there were a lot of young athletes who grew up watching people like Jordyn in the Olympic Games so they are very familiar who they are. Hiring someone with that type of star power can draw attention to recruits.

That said, I don't think LSU has a recruiting issue. Sure they could recruit some more natural beam workers (maybe the only area I would adjust from a recruiting standpoint) but in general they have had great classes the last 8 years although has been snake bit by the injury bug. What LSU needs right now is to get better with development on beam and the elephant in the room known as routine construction.

I’m confident in Jay bringing in good talent.

(no message)

Garrett Griffeth (Utah vault coach) was one of the other names.

He use to work with Jay and Jay coached his wife Courtney (an olympian for those who wanted one lol). Obviously if he was hired LSU would have to bring on his wife probably. That was the one thing that made me skeptical of this hire is she does the choreography for them, unless ACK wants to step away from that role. They would work something out I'm sure.

Changing topics a bit - I know we don't often chat about elite here, but this Jade Carey situation is so wild to me and I would be so incredibly jealous/angry if I was one of the other girls. She has a spot guaranteed and also still plans (at this time) to try for one of the team spots (and also, due to an announcement about the Doha World Cup today, doesn't have to affirmatively claim her individual spot until after Trials, I believe). If she does so (and makes Top 2# all around at Trials), she will automatically be named to the team and the U.S. will only be able to send 5, rather than 6, gymnasts. I think its unlikely that it will happen (since rightly or wrongly I think USAG will make sure she doesn't score high enough for Top 2 all-around), but the whole situation is crazy. She was essentially the only active gymnast allowed the world cup route, and now she may essentially eliminate that spot all together (the U.S. women's team was precluded from trying to earn another spot at PanAm's due to Jade's mathematical clinching of the World Cup spot prior to PanAm's). People elsewhere on the internet are divided between "she is doing what is best for herself" vs. "it being a very selfish thing" and I have to say I lean toward selfish. Especially because the U.S. could probably realistically field 3 teams that would all win gold, she is literally obliterating someone else's chances of being an Olympian at a time when the Olympic team has never been smaller and the number of qualified applicants has never been larger due to the postponement.

Also, I think Jade is probably a lovely girl and that layout triple double yesterday at podium training was amazing.

I know some of you follow elite at least a little, interested in any other thoughts (or ignore if too off topic from LSU, lol).

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I’m sure if this were the case, ACK would still be involved a little bit with the team given her history with the program but not to the extent of travelling and such with them. It would be interesting to see the differing choreography styles between ACK and McCool for our girls if she’s brought on, though I think it would be a good welcomed change for the team and may stop the gymternet comments of “all the LSU floor routines look and sound the same”

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I will say this, ACK still has her other job, she was given that new role at LSU and she just had a child. It could be a win win for everyone and I imagine Jay would keep her involved with the program. Easily can make an administrative role for her.

I'm on board with this hire though if they want in.

How much time does Jay have to find a replacement?

I’d be pretty surprised if they move again since haven’t they only been at Utah 1-2 seasons? And seemed to like it there and Utah had a stellar season and has a great incoming class. But you never know what goes on behind the scenes or if they want to live in the South.

Re-Jade I agree that right or not I don’t think the judges will let her score high enough to make the regular team. I don’t have a problem with her competing at trials though to get extra experience.

There’s speculation on reddit that if Aleah continues to stay ahead of her Gage teammates she has a shot at Olympic alternate. That would be quite an amazing end to her elite career! Anyone know if she’s bringing back the double on vault?

I heard ACK with her new role could not be involved with team in any form.