Hiring Simone Biles’ Coach Cecile Landi Is Just the Beginning for University of Georgia: “See My Second Move”

The University of Georgia made a paradigm shift in collegiate gymnastics by appointing Cécile Canqueteau-Landi, Simone Biles‘ longtime coach, as co-head coach of the women’s gymnastics team. The 44-year-old French gymnastics coach, known for overseeing Biles’ medal rush at the World Champions Centre , brings extensive expertise to the college gymnastics scene.

Her distinguished career included an eighth-place finish for France at the 1996 Olympics along with notable performances at the World Championships. As the college gymnastics season gains momentum ahead of the Olympics, Cécile Landi will once again spearhead top gymnasts from the University of Georgia to greener pastures. Meanwhile, the University of Georgia opened a search for new assistants to supplement Landi’s wisdom, stirring discussion across the internet. What’s the earth shattering move going to entail?

The University of Georgia is on a roll, having more tricks up its sleeve

Georgia’s gymnastics record has been under scrutiny, with consistent last-place performances in the SEC championships and an absence from the NCAA championships since 2019. Hence, Georgia announced the recruitment of Cecile Canqueteau-Landi and Ryan Roberts as co-head coaches on April 25th, six days after former head coach Courtney Kupets Carter’s exit. Recently, a tweet from @collegegymnews_ hinted at big possibilities, “@CBoom909 spoke at length with Ryan Roberts for an upcoming story (stay tuned!); he teased this as well. “[Getting Cécile] was my first move, and you’re really going to want to see my second move. The experience level of this staff is going to be one major change from before.”

Landi’s coaching experience includes seven years as Simone Biles’ personal coach at the World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas, alongside her husband, Laurent Landi. She has also coached Olympians like Jordan Chiles and Madison Kocian. After the news, Canqueteau-Landi stressed her dedication to supporting athletes’ well-being while maximizing their greatest potential, citing her broad gymnastics experience. Upon her shift from the Biles parents owned WCC, Simone Biles’s mother, Nellie Biles said, “Her departure will certainly be felt, but her legacy will forever shape the foundation of World Champions Centre.”

Roberts has extensive experience recruiting top-tier players, having spent four years at Alabama before moving to Georgia. His resume speaks strongly, as he has landed three top-five recruiting classes, including Georgia’s No. 1 class for 2023. Lily Smith’s transition from Alabama to Georgia upon Roberts’ arrival further indicates his magnetic effect in the recruiting arena.

Simone Biles’ coach’s shared gymnastics stint

Before their current stint, Canqueteau-Landi and Roberts worked together at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) in Frisco, Texas. Roberts voiced trust in Landi’s potential, saying, “I have known Cecile for years, and she is the exact person to help propel this team to greatness.” Landi and Roberts hope to bring back Georgia’s gymnastics program to prominence in the Southeastern Conference. Despite Georgia’s illustrious past, which includes ten NCAA team titles, the program is looking to reclaim its previous glory after a championship drought since 2009. Georgia’s athletic director, Josh Brooks, called them “two of the most accomplished gymnastics coaches in the sport.”

In an era of rising standards and increased competition, the University of Georgia’s coaching decisions represent a bold move toward recovering gymnastics glory. With Cécile Canqueteau-Landi and Ryan Roberts at the helm, the Bulldogs are prepared for a new era of greatness, driven by a combination of expertise and an unshakable commitment to success.