Surviving Larry Nassar During Her Olympic Years, Jordyn Wieber Learned to Spread Positivity in UCLA and Arkansas

When Arkansas Razorbacks roped Jordyn Wieber into the head coach position, the gymnast had multiple reasons to fail. While registering her interest for the coveted post, she had been acting as the volunteer assistant position at UCLA. She was 23 years of age- almost similar to the elite gymnasts. However, Jordyn Wieber was keen enough to learn things and a firm determination was there to accompany her. The same determination showed up when Jordyn refused to drop her guard despite facing Larry Nassar’s s**ual ab***e. That was not all. 

She had the same experience with John Geddert, her club coach. That has been Jordyn Wieber’s journey so far- winning her ways despite constraints. Later, Geddert was accused of similar criminal charges with Larry Nassar. Meanwhile, in 2021, he committed suicide after facing the charges. But in the meantime, Wieber remained steady on her path, enjoying the newly found roles. That was visible when she took up the assistant post at UCLA.

Valorie Kondos Field acted as the head gymnastics coach when Wieber was appointed as the assistant coach position. Valorie added several attributes based on her encounter with the Olympian. Spilling on her experience with Jordyn Wieber, Valorie said, “She’s lived how a coach can empower you to be more than you ever thought you could be, and she’s lived when a coach tears your dreams down and stifles you.” With such a reputation, Jordyn Wieber became close to the UCLA gymnasts who often found their needed guidance from her. 

“She definitely makes you feel empowered when you’re about to step out onto the floor,” Felicia Hano, who witnessed Jordyn Wieber in both form, mentor and colleague in UCLA and Arkansas, claimed later. In Arkansas, as well, Jordyn Wieber holds a similar reverence. On such a joyride, several features have played contributing factors. 

Jordyn Wieber loves the game and its challenges 

Jordyn Wieber prefers the challenge the gymnastic sport brings to her. She left her UCLA job in search of a new challenge. Eventually, that quest led her to take up the Arkansas’ head coach post. But despite the lack of prior experience in the post, she depended on her features and the fame she brought into the mat. “All the little things matter to me,” Jordyn added on this topic. Joscelyn Roberson, the elite gymnast, supported that fact. Meanwhile, Jordyn maintained the fun quotient among the gymnasts. In such an environment, fellow Razorbacks flaunted their artistry on the floor, which ultimately led them to the semifinal of the National Gymnastics contest last season. With that, Jordyn found her additional joy after noticing the 2012 Olympic teammates once again, serving the sport yet again.

One such encounter happened when she saw Aly Raisman playing the commentator part in the NCAA Gymnastics Championships semifinal in Fort Worth. Jordyn felt eclectic after meeting her ‘captain’ while Raisman motivated her in the role. Kyla Ross, the youngest member of Fierce Five, also joined Jordyn, being her assistant in Arkansas. With such a gathering, she found no breakage in her positivity. Meanwhile, the Olympic champion turned coach accepted it in her comment: “I’m just so excited to see our athletes perform and then to have one of my Olympic teammates be able to commentate it, it’s pretty cool.”