West Virginia State University announced on August 4, 2025 that
Gillian Cooper will be the next head coach of the Acrobatics & Tumbling program. Cooper served as the team's graduate assistant coach during the 2024-25 season and now steps into the leadership role ahead of the team's upcoming season.
A West Virginia native, Cooper brings strong leadership, firsthand athletic experience, and a deep commitment to athlete development to the role. Cooper emphasizes a coaching philosophy rooted in discipline, athlete development, and creating a culture of support, hard work, and excellence on and off the mat.
As the graduate assistant coach at WVSU, Cooper played a key role in the development of the program. She helped lead West Virginia State to its first-ever score over 200, followed by three additional meets surpassing the 200-point mark. These were significant milestone achievements for the emerging program in its second competitive year.
A former standout at Glenville State University, Cooper was known for her strong presence in multiple Acrobatics & Tumbling events over her four-year career. During her time at Glenville, she contributed to the team's competitive success within the Mountain East Conference and earned recognition for her performance and leadership. In 2021, Cooper was named to the MEC Second Team All-Conference. She later earned MEC Commissioner's Honor Roll recognition in 2024 and was also honored on both the President's Honor List and Provost's Honor List in 2023 for her academic excellence. In 2024, Cooper contributed to Glenville State University qualifying for nationals in two events.
An Alum Creek, W.Va. native, Cooper earned her Bachelor of Science in exercise science from Glenville State and is currently completing her Master of Science in sports studies at West Virginia State, which she will complete in August 2025. With deep roots in the state and a clear vision for the program's future, she is ready to take the Yellow Jackets to new heights.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to lead West Virginia State University's Acrobatics & Tumbling program," Cooper said. "This team and these athletes mean so much to me, and I am fully committed to continuing the growth of something truly special here. Being part of a program that is still building its legacy is both rare and meaningful, and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to grow WVSU Acrobatics & Tumbling with the dedication of our athletes and coaching staff. I believe we can continue to build a strong, competitive, and united program that reflects the pride and potential of West Virginia State University."
