Arkansas gymnastics head coach Chris Brooks has finalized his coaching staff by adding assistant coach Zan Jones and promoting Kyla Ross and Catelyn Branson to associate head coaches. Jones, previously with Texas Woman’s University, led the Pioneers to back-to-back national titles and earned multiple coaching awards. Ross, who has been with the Gymbacks since 2022, has significantly improved the team's performances on both vault and beam, contributing to record-setting scores. Branson returned to Arkansas in 2025, successfully coaching the floor squad to top rankings and All-American honors.

By the Numbers
  • Zan Jones was named WCGA DII Assistant Coach of the Year three times and led TWU to back-to-back national titles in 2025 and 2026.
  • Kyla Ross helped the Gymbacks achieve a program record of 49.675 on vault in 2026 and coached five All-Americans in her tenure.
State of Play
  • Arkansas gymnastics is looking to build on a successful 2026 season that included a strong NCAA performance.
  • The team is benefitting from a mix of experienced coaches who have proven success both at Arkansas and in previous programs.
What's Next

The Gymbacks are set to leverage their revamped coaching staff to aim for higher national rankings and enhance athlete development, anticipating further records and accolades in the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

With strategic staff updates, Arkansas gymnastics is poised for continued competitive success, emphasizing talent development and record-breaking performances under experienced leadership.