LSU gymnastics’ journey to the championship began long before it arrived in Fort Worth, Texas. In fact, it began long before the 2024 season.

It all started with LSU gymnastics’ head coach Jay Clark.

After coaching the Tiger squad for four years, Clark did something unprecedented in LSU history. He won LSU gymnastics’ first ever NCAA National Championship.

While the gymnasts huddled together to raise the trophy, Clark stood back with pride, soaking in every moment.

“I had so many emotions for so many reasons,” Clark said. “What I looked forward to was to see them celebrate.”

And he did just that. He let his team have their moment, knowing he was only a small part of the victory. What he didn’t know was that his team viewed him as so much more.

“Day in and day out when we go inside the gym, he truly makes us 1% better,” Aleah Finnegan said while being embraced by Clark. “We could not be more thankful to have him as a head coach and have him as the leader on our team.”

Clark’s talents go beyond the day-to-day events of being a head coach. In his tenure at LSU, he proved to be one of the best recruiters in the nation.

“I didn’t even want to come to college gymnastics,” senior Haleigh Bryant said. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him.”

Clark’s recruitment of Bryant paved the way to make history. 

“I’m just so thankful for him giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to do all the things I’ve done,” Bryant said.

Teary-eyed, Clark was left speechless, so he just smiled.

“I couldn’t do it without him,” Bryant said.

Clark’s reign has been nothing short of successful.

In his short time of four years as head coach, he’s not only brought home a National Championship trophy, but won a Southeastern Conference Championship, made two final four appearances and was named a top-10 recruiter by ESPN.

Clark started his coaching career in Georgia where he worked from 1990-2012. He joined LSU in the summer of 2012, alongside former head coach D-D Breaux with the title of associate head coach.

“She gave me an opportunity to join her when I needed her,” Clark said. “She treated me like a partner rather than an assistant.”

After being promoted to co-head coach in 2019, he claimed the head coach title only a year later. Since then, he’s done nothing but recruit incredible gymnasts and win titles for the Tigers.

Every chance he gets, Clark promotes his gymnasts and speaks highly of them. Even after a bad meet or a loss, he places the blame on himself.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve,” Clark said. “Coaches, players, staff, all of us. We just want to get better.”

Although most coaches’ dreams don’t exceed winning a national title, Clark plans to get right back to work.

His 2024 squad consisted of talent and skill unprecedented at LSU. With Bryant, an AAI Award winner and Finnegan, a future Olympian, the team was destined for greatness. 

While most of the seniors, including Bryant, have the chance to return to LSU next year, they haven’t decided if they’ll take advantage of the extra year.

“Will they [come back]? I don’t know,” Clark said. “It’s not something I’ve pressed on or tried to get an answer to before it’s appropriate.”

Although Clark would welcome the gymnasts back with open arms, he’s dedicated to the future of the program, with or without the seniors. 

Clark’s next round of seniors consists of Finnegan and experienced all-arounder KJ Johnson, just to name a couple. 

Along with Finnegan and Johnson will be the two all-star freshmen, Konnor McClain and Amari Drayton. 

While it’s safe to say that the future of LSU gymnastics is in good hands, Clark is constantly looking for the next “great” to come through LSU.

His constant search and desire for greatness is what makes him unique. It’s what makes him special. According to the gymnasts, it’s what makes him the unsung hero.