Clemson Gymnastics: Making History

If you want to see the most exciting team on the rise right now, look at Clemson. Most brand-new programs take years to get good, but Clemson completely skipped the waiting part. In just their third season, they went out and won the 2026 ACC Championship, made it into the national top 15, and packed out their home gym with crazy loud fans.

Coaching Staff

The real reason they got so good so fast is their incredible coaching staff. Co-Head Coaches Justin Howell and Elisabeth Crandall-Howell came over after building a huge powerhouse at Cal, and they brought that winning plan straight to Clemson. They focus on big energy and clean technique, and they have an awesome staff behind them:

The Tiger

• Justin Howell & Elisabeth Crandall-Howell: They know exactly what it takes to win in the postseason. They have built a culture where the team works incredibly hard but still has a blast competing. Their leadership is the big reason Clemson won a conference title so fast.

  
  

• Jessie McDonough: She is an absolute expert at finding great talent and developing big skills. She knows exactly how to build confidence up and help the athletes hit those massive, high-scoring routines on bars and beam.

• Luke Wasson: He’s a strong technical coach and brings huge infectious energy to every practice and competition

How The Coaching Staff Works Together

What stands out to me the most—especially as a coach—is how fast this staff got everyone on the same page. When you start a program from scratch, you are putting together transfers and freshmen who have never competed together before. The coaches didn't try to force a one-size-fits-all style. They focused on what each individual gymnast did best, which helped their stars hit massive routines all the way on the NCAA Nationals stage. That is the ultimate sign of coaches who work with the person, not just the routine.

Eyes On The Next Step

By winning the conference title and falling just a tiny bit short of making the national championships as a team, Clemson has officially put the whole country on notice. They are scrappy, they have beautiful form, and their home crowd gives them a massive advantage. They already proved they can beat the oldest teams in college gymnastics. Now, they are ready to take that next big step and make a run at the NCAA Final Four.