Nebraska Gymnastics: The Nicole Era

The Nebraska Reset: Nicole Jones Leads the Way

The hiring of Nicole Jones as the new head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers is a massive turning point for the program. Jones comes to Lincoln after an incredible 16-season run at Michigan State, where she was instrumental in building the Spartans into a consistent national contender and a perennial top-12 powerhouse.

Jones is wasting no time putting her stamp on the program. She has already assembled a staff that mixes technical brilliance with elite-level experience:

• Devin Wright (Associate Head Coach): A major hire from Michigan State, Wright was the 2026 WCGA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year. She brings a proven track record of elevating bar and vault rotations to national-championship standards.

• Jordan (Bowers) Gamboa (Assistant Coach): This is a true homecoming hire. A Lincoln native and a 2025 NCAA all-around champion from Oklahoma, Gamboa is one of the most decorated gymnasts in recent history. Her experience with the winning culture under K.J. Kindler makes her an incredible asset for the Huskers.

• Brett Wargo (Assistant Coach): A recent addition to the staff, Wargo is one of the nation’s premier elite-level coaches. With nearly 20 years of experience at the club level and as a USA National Team coach, his technical expertise is a massive win for the program.

Bridging History and the Modern Era

When you talk to coaches about Nebraska, they always mention the history: 12 NCAA Finals appearances and 25 conference titles. The challenge for Jones is bridging that history with the modern era. Her philosophy is built on "consistency and stability." She’s not just looking for short-term fixes; she’s looking to instill the same culture of academic and athletic excellence that helped her elevate Michigan State.

Nebraska has the facilities, the legendary "Husker Nation" fan support, and now, a staff that knows exactly how to build a winning program from the ground up. This is a "reset" year for the Cornhuskers, but with Jones leading the charge, they have all the ingredients to become a serious threat in the Big Ten once again.