Kyla Ross continues UCLA-to-Arkansas trend, joins Razorbacks' gymnastics staff
The Razorbacks' coaching staff is adding another Bruin to their ranks.
Arkansas announced former UCLA gymnast Kyla Ross would be joining its staff as a volunteer assistant coach Friday. She spent the previous year with the Bruins as an undergraduate assistant coach following four seasons competing on the team and winning individual NCAA titles in all four disciplines.
Across her career in blue and gold, Ross was an All-American, won the 2020 Honda Sport Award, took home five NCAA championship trophies and became one of two collegiate gymnasts to ever record two Gym Slams.
“I am so excited to continue my coaching career at the University of Arkansas," Ross said in a statement released by Arkansas. "Thank you to Jordyn Wieber and Razorback Athletics for this amazing opportunity. I’m looking forward to being part of such an inspiring coaching staff. Thank you to UCLA Athletics for an incredible college experience. I can’t wait to bring that passion to Fayetteville!”
Ross is now the third gymnast with UCLA ties to go from Westwood to Fayetteville in the past few offseasons.
Wieber was a team manager at UCLA from 2014-2016 and became a volunteer assistant coach under Valorie Kondos Field for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons. She was named Arkansas' head coach in April 2019, the same offseason in which Chris Waller got the top UCLA job following Kondos Field's retirement.
One year later, four-year veteran Falicia Hano graduated from UCLA and joined Wieber's staff soon after. Ross and Hano competed together with the Bruins for four seasons and grew up going to the Gym Max Gymnastics Center together.
Ross, before getting managed and coached by Wieber, was teammates with her at the London 2012 Olympics, where Team USA brought home the gold in the all-around.
“I could not be more thrilled that Kyla will be joining our coaching staff," Wieber said in the statement. "She knows first-hand what it takes to train and compete at a high level. We’ve been side-by-side in so many walks of life; on the Olympic team together and then as coach and student-athlete at UCLA. Not only was Kyla a fantastic athlete, but she is an incredible person and leader too. Wherever she goes, she makes those around her better, which is why she is the perfect addition to this Razorback coaching staff.”
The "Fierce Five" reunion will take place in an SEC that now has to deal with incoming Auburn freshman and Tokyo 2020 Olympic all-around champion Suni Lee. The Bruins will have an Olympian of their own joining the roster in Team USA silver medalist Jordan Chiles, continuing the Olympic tradition the Bruins have boasted on their roster for decades.
Follow Connon on Twitter at @SamConnon
Follow All Bruins on Twitter at @SI_AllBruins
Like All Bruins on Facebook at @SI.AllBruins