NCAA Now Jordyn leaving Arkansas!

[RedBirdie]

Maybe she just doesn't enjoy coaching that much anymore. After all, she went from training herself to student-coaching at UCLA to coaching at Arkansas. She has never left the gymnastics bubble. More power to her if she wants to explore other career paths. She does have a psychology degree and might want to use it. Now is the time to do that.

Or -maybe she is trying to come back for LA 28.

I was thinking the same thing, that's she's never done anything but gymnastics. Maybe having a baby made her decide that there's other things in life she'd like to try, maybe find out who she is without gymnastics.

 

[JaJa]

In Jordyn’s case the leaving to spend more time with family is entirely plausible. She has a young baby, maybe they want another. She’s living away from her extended family.

When it’s a 50 year old guy saying it, yeah it’s a bit sus

yes, you could be very correct.

 

[Passion]

Jordyn Wieber on leaving Arkansas gymnastics: 'I feel a lot of peace'

On Tuesday, Arkansas gymnastics coach Jordyn Wieber announced she was resigning. She shared with ESPN what went into the decision.

www.espn.com

Jordyn Wieber, as told to Alyssa Roenigk
Apr 29, 2026, 06:39 PM ET

On Tuesday, Arkansas gymnastics coach Jordyn Wieber, 30, resigned from her position, seven years after becoming the youngest head coach in NCAA gymnastics history. Her husband, Chris Brooks -- an assistant coach since 2019 -- was named as the next head coach.

One day later, Wieber is in her home office in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Brooks is on campus meeting with a recruit, while their 10-month-old daughter, Gigi, is in the living room with Wieber's mother-in-law. For the first time that she can remember, Wieber says she woke up this morning and gymnastics was not the central focus of her life. "It felt very strange but also, ever since I made the decision, I feel a lot of peace," she says. "I'm looking forward to exploring things I've never had the opportunity to explore."

In an exclusive with ESPN, Wieber shares in her own words what went into her decision, the timeline of Brooks being named as her successor and what she plans to pursue next. -- Alyssa Roenigk

I want people to understand that I'm not leaving coaching to be a stay-at-home mom. I have so much respect for stay-at-home moms, but I love working. I just needed more balance.

I was really worried about waking up today with a feeling of emptiness. I haven't felt that, and I think it's because I wake up and I see Gigi and that gives me a lot of purpose. But also, now I have the time to think about my future.

I feel like this is an important step for me to figure out what else I want to add into my identity as a human being without gymnastics as a part of my daily life. I don't feel anxiety about that. I don't feel fear. I feel a lot of excitement. I get to have more time with Gigi, but I also have other goals and passions and pursuits that I want to dive into that I wouldn't have had the time to do if I was still a head coach.

Becoming a mom changes your perspective. I've always wanted to be the type of woman who can prove women can do it all. And we can. I was. I want to be the best possible mom that I can be for my daughter and I want to be a great example for her.

Before I announced my decision, I was worried about the judgment. I worried about what people would think. I want to be the best role model for all women, and especially the young women I've coached. I want to show them that whatever you need to do for your well-being and your mental health and your family, you can make those choices, and they aren't the same for everyone.

Throughout my coaching career, it would pop into my brain, the question of whether this was something I saw myself doing until retirement. Since I went back to work after having Gigi, there was an inner battle between how much I love working hard and how much I love coaching and how, the more time I put into that, the less time I had for Gigi. And then the more time I spent with Gigi, the less time I had to put in work for the program.

I think athletes -- and most women, in general -- we don't do things at less than 100 percent. I was constantly trying to be 100 percent the best mom I could be, and 100 percent the best coach, and that is hard. It's doable. I was managing it the best way I could, but it wasn't easy. Throughout the year, I would go in and out of this decision and I finally put it on the back-burner so I could focus in the moment and be there for the team.

What made it even more difficult was this was a big family decision. It affected Chris and me. When a head coach leaves, the staff doesn't always get a guaranteed position on the other side of it. The night before I spoke with my boss, Chris looked at me and said, "I want you to be happy. You and Gigi are the two most important things in my life. If that means I don't get to coach anymore, I'm okay with that. We'll figure it out."

When I met with my boss, [Arkansas Athletic Director] Hunter [Yurachek], the first thing he said after I told him my decision was, 'Would Chris be interested in the job? We love the direction you've taken the program, and he's been such a big part of that.'

I said, "I don't know. I'll talk to him." We weren't expecting that.

When I left Hunter's office, I called Chris and he asked, "How did it go? How do you feel?" He knew I was afraid of walking out of that office and feeling like this job that had given me so much belonging and purpose was not mine anymore and I'd feel a loss. I was nervous about that feeling. But I left his office and felt a weight lifted.

I said, "Hunter is interested in you being the next head coach." Chris was like, "Are you serious?" When I got home later that evening, we talked and talked and talked. Chris never thought he would have this opportunity in his lifetime. We talked through every piece of the decision, like, what does this look like for our day to day? How is it going to shift our dynamic as a couple? What does it look like for Gigi? What does it mean financially? At the end of the day, I was so excited for Chris to have this opportunity. It's going to allow me the time to do some things I want to do, career-wise, and to keep our support system here in Fayetteville. It really was the best-case scenario for our whole family.

The day we decided all of this, Kyla Ross, who's one of my assistants and was also my teammate in the Olympics, came over and the three of us were standing in the kitchen and we just started giggling. I was like, "Guys, I'm gonna be sitting in the stands. Isn't that so weird?" We all started cracking up. But I'm also excited because I get to be the biggest super fan of the program.

One of the hardest transitions is going to be learning how to support Chris in his new role. He is an external processor. He loves to talk through everything, and I know he's gonna want to talk through things at home. I told him, 'It's going to be hard for me to not give you my opinion all the time.' I'm so used to having to make those decisions. It's gonna be hard for me to not insert my opinion and to let him take over this program and do it his way. If he tried to do it my way, it wouldn't work. It wouldn't be authentic to Chris. The main encouragement I've given him these last few days is just to be authentically himself.

It was hard telling the athletes and closing that chapter. That was something I dreaded about this decision. I recruited all those athletes to come to Arkansas and one of my favorite things about coaching was being in their lives and being a person they could rely on through all the challenges of those transformative four years. It wasn't just about gymnastics for me. It was about serving people and being a support system for those girls.

I started gymnastics at four. I was on the national team by 11. I retired at 17 and went straight into being a college student, working with the gymnastics team at UCLA. Then I went straight into volunteer coaching while managing and dealing with the fallout of the Larry Nassar situation and everything that was going on with me and the gymnastics community at that time. Then I jumped into this head coaching position. Intensity is all I've ever known.

I'm excited to not operate at that level of intensity all the time. I know there's so much more the world has to offer and that I can learn and grow into outside of gymnastics. I've never been outside of the gymnastics bubble and I'm excited to figure out what's there for me outside of that bubble.

I studied psychology at UCLA, and I want to pursue a career in leadership or organizational development. I'm looking at starting either an MBA program or earning a master's degree. I want to continue to develop my voice. I love public speaking and giving inspirational talks. I had to put that on hold over the last seven years.

I still want to be involved in the gymnastics world. I would love to work on a TV broadcast. I think I would have a great perspective, having been an athlete and having coached for 10 years. I'm open to all possibilities. I just want to continue to serve people and continue to use my voice for good. I feel a lot of peace. It feels in my gut like this was the right decision. I'm excited about life.

 

[irichluck21]

Good for her.

 

[JaJa]

Good for her.

Agreed. very good for her. At her still young age it is now time to move on and pursue something different. Jordyn is a model of having a really successful post elite gymnastics life.

 

[MaryClare]

I genuinely cannot believe that we live in a world where the daily mail is reporting on gymternet outrage

 

[wishfulgoddess]

I haven't seen any angry posts. Everything I've seen has been very supportive and wishing her the best.

 

[Sasha]

Yeah, not sure the gymternet is remotely outraged about this.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

Yeah, not sure the gymternet is remotely outraged about this.

There was a wee bit on reddit, not really qualifying as furious though.

 

[BB12]

I think it was just poorly explained when it was first announced and then suddenly her husband has the job. But the second interview yesterday explains her choice more clearly for people confused by the optics of it.

Although, I still think Chris was their worst assistant so I dont like the choice to promote him to head coach.

 

[GEMINAM]

She explained everything so well in this interview and good for her for realizing she needed a change and actually doing it! This speaks volumes about her character. Why would anyone be mad that Chris Brooks is taking over? It makes sense and it works for them! He seems like a great person and I am sure he will do great, he has a great sounding board too! Wishing much luck to his success and that Jordan finds happiness in her new role(s) whatever they may be!

 

[OnoNoKomachi]

There is outrage on X, but when isn't there?

People should do what they want.

Even if she actually quit because she wanted to be a tradwife, who cares? Live your own life, because you sure are going to die your own death.

Also, one of the Cal MAG assistants has worked part time for years. He explicitly says it's because of family. His wife is the one who works full time. Cal had a head coach vacancy, and family is why he didn't take it.

As I said above, JT Okada of Cal left the head coach job for something 9 to 5 because being the head coach of an NCAA team is not. Weekends, being tied to the NCAA schedule, traveling.

And that was at Cal MAG. I can't imagine a high profile women's team in the SEC would be any easier.

As far as Brooks being hired, the institution knows him. A new person is always a risk. Plus Jordyn can always be involved behind the scenes (I know MAG coaches whose wives help with various tasks). It also gives an easier path for Jordyn to come back once the kids are older (if she wants to).

I never had kids because, honestly, I'm too lazy. That job is too hard for me.

 

[KorbutFan]

I genuinely cannot believe that we live in a world where the daily mail is reporting on gymternet outrage

It’s not known as the Daily Fail for nothing

 

[IratePanda]

Yes, parenthood is the toughest, most unappreciated job. And it's unpaid!

I've sometimes felt guilty about stepping back from my academic career to focus more on being a mom. But I vividly remember one day when I was texting with my oldest friend, who's a prominent physician with two now-adult sons. At the time, my daughter was about four, and we were both off from school. I took her out to lunch (bagels), and then we went to an indoor playground. When I described the day to my friend and sent some photos, she immediately responded, "OMG, you are the best mom! I wish I'd done more stuff like that when the boys were little." It was so validating to hear that from such a high-powered career woman.

So, yeah, I have great respect for Jordyn, and I wish her much happiness in all she does.

 

[ugadawgkat]

Maybe she just doesn't enjoy coaching that much anymore. After all, she went from training herself to student-coaching at UCLA to coaching at Arkansas. She has never left the gymnastics bubble. More power to her if she wants to explore other career paths. She does have a psychology degree and might want to use it. Now is the time to do that.

Or -maybe she is trying to come back for LA 28.

Or maybe she just wants to be a mom.

 

[ugadawgkat]

I genuinely cannot believe that we live in a world where the daily mail is reporting on gymternet outrage

I suspect it's because her decision to focus on her family doesn't fit the popular narrative of what women should do with their lives to be considered successful. There's a segment of the population that's against a woman simply choosing to stay home, be a mom and raise her children. This point of view is sad because it demeans women who want to do what is the most rewarding and noble thing you can do if you have children - love them and spend as much time as possible with them when they are young.

 

[makam]

This point of view is sad because it demeans women who want to do what is the most rewarding and noble thing you can do if you have children - love them and spend as much time as possible with them when they are young.

Well, rewarding and noble if you can afford to do it. Since she and her family can, more power to her. And if she chooses more kids or to get an advanced degree or take up underwater basketweaving...as long as she doesn't start an MLM and post about being a boss baby, it is good that she has the choices. She has worked hard for her successes.

 

[OnoNoKomachi]

I've sometimes felt guilty about stepping back from my academic career to focus more on being a mom.

My mom stayed home to raise kids until her 40s, then spent over 20 years as a lawyer.

I asked her which was more meaningful in the end. She said being a mom.

That might not be true for everyone (I have zero regrets about not having kids), but it is for a lot of people.

 

[RichardL]

My mom stayed home to raise kids until her 40s, then spent over 20 years as a lawyer.

I asked her which was more meaningful in the end. She said being a mom.

That might not be true for everyone (I have zero regrets about not having kids), but it is for a lot of people.

Yes but can you imagine her saying to you, her child, that being a lawyer was more meaningful than raising you lol... totally agree with your sentiment, but still. (Also zero regrets about not having kids.)