The gymnastics community was recently abuzz with speculation about Olivia Dunne’s LSU Coach Jay Clark potentially moving to the Georgia GymDogs. However, these rumors were put to rest when reports from Ajc.com confirmed Clark’s decision to remain with LSU. Meanwhile, Georgia GymDogs searched for a new coach after parting ways with Courtney Kupets Carter. In a surprising turn, Simone Biles‘ trainer, Cecile Canqueteau Landi, was appointed to the role despite her lack of previous collegiate coaching experience, as confirmed by the University of Georgia.
Salaries have long been a topic of discussion in Jay Clark’s case, particularly as he was reportedly earning significantly less than other NCAA basketball coaching legends like Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey. With Cecile Landi stepping into the collegiate coaching arena, the question arises: Will Cecile Landi be earning more than Jay Clark?
Jay Clark vs. Cecile Landi – Who’s taking home the biggest check?
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Jay Clark assumed the head coach role after Suzanne Yoculan’s retirement in 2009. Following his resignation as Georgia’s head coach on May 4, 2012, Clark transitioned to the role of gymnastics associate head coach and head of recruiting for the LSU Tigers on July 1, 2012. Recent reports suggest that the LSU administration has proposed extending Clark’s tenure for another two years, potentially until the 2027 season. Currently, Clark’s contract is slated to run through the 2025 gymnastics season, with an annual compensation of $275,000. While looking at Landi, it seems she earns more than Clark.
A former French gymnast, Cecile Landi, has transitioned into a gymnastics coach. Starting coaching at the French National Training Center, she moved to Norman, Oklahoma, at Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy. After a short period, she relocated to Texas in June 2007 to join WOGA. During her time at WOGA, Landi coached several notable gymnasts, including Alyssa Baumann, Briley Casanova, and Katelyn Ohashi, and many more.
In October 2017, she and her husband joined the coaching staff at the World Champions Centre, where they coached the legendary Simone Biles. Now, Canqueteau-Landi has taken on a new role as Georgia’s gymnastics coach, which provides her with an annual compensation of $340,000. However, the question now arises: Who is more successful?
Landi’s international success and Clark’s coaching legacy
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Landi’s journey in gymnastics commenced at age 5, leading her to Marseille’s national center at 9, where she trained tirelessly at the now-defunct Club Gymnastique Saint-Giniez. Making her international debut at the 1994 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, she later showcased her talent at the 1996 Olympics, finishing 8th with France in the qualification round.
Despite narrowly missing out on subsequent all-around finals due to competition rules, her tenacity persevered, culminating in her retirement from elite gymnastics in 1999 after multiple World and European Championship appearances.
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Jay Clark, boasting 30+ years of experience in college gymnastics, stands out as one of the industry’s top recruiters. His recent triumph in leading LSU to its first NCAA championship victory this April underscores his authority in the field. Clark’s impressive career is punctuated by honors such as induction into the USA Gymnastics Region 8 Hall of Fame.
His coaching prowess has garnered widespread recognition, including multiple National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year awards and regional distinctions such as the Central Region Co-Assistant Coach of the Year. Considering both individuals, they appear exceptionally well-suited for their respective coaching positions!