“Forever thankful to have such an amazing support system by my side.” Those were Simone Biles’ words to Cecile Landi back in 2021, during a time she needed it most. Biles was battling the twisties, which forced her to pull out of the Tokyo Olympics. And who was right there by her side? Landi, her coach and a former Olympian, knew exactly how heavy the pressure of the Games could feel. That tight hug on the competition floor said it all. But here’s the twist: after eight years coaching Biles and wrapping up the Paris Olympics, Landi’s headed to Georgia Gymnastics as a co-head coach, sharing the role with Ryan Roberts. Training Olympians to NCAA? That’s a whole new vibe. Can she bring that same magic to college gymnastics?

Ever since retiring from elite gymnastics in the late ’90s, Cecile Landi has built quite the coaching resume. She’s worked with the French National Team, coached in Oklahoma and Texas, and even helped Simone Biles rack up seven Olympic medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) as her coach. Fast forward to 2024, and she took on a whole new challenge as co-head coach of the University of Georgia women’s gymnastics team with Ryan Roberts. But Georgia’s been struggling with low scores in recent seasons. Can Cecile bring back the glory days they enjoyed from 2004 to 2009?

Simone Biles on Landi’s coaching

Elite gymnastics is all about the long-term journey, where athletes focus on building skills, improving strength, and reaching their peak for major events like the Olympics or World Championships. NCAA gymnastics, however, is a fast-paced, competition-heavy environment. Jeff Graba, Auburn University’s head coach, explains that college gymnasts compete 15 times in 13 or 14 weeks, which demands more focus on consistency than skill development.

The training is carefully planned, allowing for recovery periods, and the athletes work toward being at their best over a span of years. It’s less about competing all the time and more about pacing yourself for the bigger picture. While NCAA gymnastics, though, is a different beast. With a packed season full of regular competitions, the focus shifts to maintaining consistency and keeping athletes in top form week after week.

Coaches have to manage their training loads carefully to make sure they’re ready for every meeting while also avoiding burnout. Since NCAA athletes don’t have as much time to focus on long-term growth as their elite counterparts, they’re often pushed to perform immediately. This means the emphasis is more on quick results rather than gradual development. Coach Graba, twin brother of Sunisa Lee’s coach, puts it into perspective: “Consistency is key,” he says.

As Jeff Graba further adds, “In college, they’re going to compete 15 times in 13 or 14 weeks, and they’re in an older gymnastics body that’s been through a lot. College is a lot more management and a lot more taking what you have and trying to make it more consistent, whereas in club, you could create a lot more; you could spend four years developing a skill.” So, looking at someone like Cecile Landi, who’s stepping into the NCAA system without prior experience in this kind of environment, it raises an interesting question: Will she be able to handle the unique demands of NCAA gymnastics? Well, Simone Biles shared her thoughts on this—she knows exactly what Cecile’s coaching technique is.

In an email to Athens Banner-Herald, Biles shared that Landi “is a fun, free spirit, very motivational but also compassionate,” Biles said. “She truly cares for her athletes as if they were her own children.” This approach aligns perfectly with the demands of NCAA gymnastics. Of course, she knows this well, having worked with Biles for eight years, along with Olympian Jordan Chiles. But with the Georgia GymDogs gymnastics team facing challenges like injuries, depth issues, and poor scores in meets, it makes you wonder: With all her experience, can Cecile help turn things around for them?

Georgia GymDogs set to bounce back in 2025 with new leadership

The Georgia GymDogs are looking to bounce back after a tough stretch. This season, they’re gearing up for a fresh start, with their first SEC meet against Florida on January 24. The 2025 season has them ranked 14th, but there’s a lot to prove, especially on the beam, where they’ve had trouble keeping up with the best teams like Oklahoma and more. The team is currently in a rebuilding phase after parting ways with head coach Courtney Kupets Carter, a former Olympic medalist, following a tough 2024 season where they struggled with a 7-12 overall record. With 14 underclassmen, the team is hoping for a fresh start in 2025 heralded by Cecile Landi and Ryan Roberts.

Under Cecile’s leadership, the GymDogs are looking to regain the competitive edge they’ve lacked since their last national title in 2009, with a strong emphasis on consistency, execution, and overcoming the challenges of a rebuilding phase. Landi’s proven track record with elite athletes positions her as a coach capable of navigating these challenges, having helped Biles become one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, with 11 Olympic medals in her bag to date. But remember Tokyo 2020?

After the Tokyo Olympics, Biles continued to face mental and physical challenges that made her uncertain about continuing gymnastics. With Cecile and Laurent Landi’s guidance, she returned to the Paris Olympics, earning three gold medals and one silver—an extraordinary feat that highlighted her resilience and determination. But Landi and Laurent were initially hesitant when Biles set her sights on Paris, worried about her mental readiness.

“No,” they said at first, concerned that attempting to return to competition might break her if things didn’t go as planned. But Biles was determined to try, and after taking the time to rediscover her love for the sport, they all agreed to move forward. “Mentally, could I do it, and if I don’t do it, would that break me?” Biles said, reflecting on the decision. With Landi’s support, plus the training schedule, Biles gradually regained her confidence.

Now, as Landi starts her first NCAA season with Georgia on January 17, there’s excitement about what she can bring to the GymDogs as Simone will also be there to watch her ex-coach. With a young, hungry team and Landi’s emphasis on consistency and execution, there’s a lot of hope that the GymDogs could start a new chapter of success and rise back to the top of NCAA gymnastics.