A Dive Into The Texas State Gymnastics Head Coach Sarah Brown

History in the Making: Sarah Brown Named Head Coach of Texas State’s Inaugural D1 Gymnastics Program

Texas gymnastics is officially entering a brand-new era, and they just found the perfect powerhouse to lead the charge.

On June 30th, 2026, Texas State University made waves across the NCAA gymnastics community by announcing former Penn State head coach Sarah Brown as the very first head coach in the program's history. As Texas State prepares to launch the first-ever Division I women’s gymnastics program in the Lone Star State, bringing in a seasoned, elite leader like Sarah is an absolute home run.

A Resumé Built for a Historic Launch

Sarah isn’t just stepping into this role with experience—she’s stepping into it with a masterclass of a coaching pedigree. Building a D1 program from scratch requires deep knowledge of the NCAA landscape, and Sarah’s journey through the ranks shows she’s done it all.

Before taking the reins at Texas State, her career took her through some of the most competitive conferences in the country:

• Director of Operations, Missouri (2012–2013): Where she mastered the logistical backbone it takes to run a high-caliber program.

• Assistant Coach, Southeast Missouri State (2013–2015): A pivotal role where she earned MIC Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2014.

• Volunteer Assistant, University of Michigan (2015–2016): Gaining invaluable insight at a perennial Big Ten powerhouse.

• Head Coach, Eastern Michigan (2016–2017): Leading the Eagles with standout leadership that set the stage for her next major jump.

• Head Coach, Penn State (2017–2026): For the last nine seasons, Sarah anchored the Nittany Lions in the brutal Big Ten conference, consistently elevating the program and earning the prestigious WCGA Northeast Region Head Coach of the Year award in 2024.

Why This Matters

Texas has long been an absolute goldmine for elite and club gymnastics talent, but for decades, the state’s top athletes had to leave home to pursue their D1 dreams. Texas State launching a program is a massive win for the sport, and hiring a coach of Sarah’s caliber proves the university is entirely invested in making an immediate impact.

She brings the perfect balance of technical expertise, Big Ten grit, and a proven track record of developing athletes both in and out of the gym.

A huge congratulations to Sarah on this historic new role. Starting a D1 program from the ground up is no small feat, but there is truly no one better equipped to build a culture of excellence, passion, and elite gymnastics in San Marcos. I can’t wait to watch the amazing things you do with this program—Texas State is lucky to have you, and the future of Bobcats Gymnastics is incredibly bright!