Four-time NCAA champion and 2024 Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles has returned to the UCLA gymnastics program as a student coach for the 2027 season, following a historic four-year collegiate career capped by her graduation in the summer of 2026.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Program Leadership: Chiles steps directly into a mentoring role for a roster featuring three seniors and 14 underclassmen, including key sophomore returners Ashlee Sullivan and Tiana Sumanasekera.
The Transition from Pauley Pavilion Competitor to Staff
Jordan Chiles is officially heading back to Pauley Pavilion. During her time as a Bruin, Chiles cemented her legacy as a 23-time All-American, seven-time conference champion, and a staggering 19-time perfect 10 scorer.
Her final senior campaign in 2026 was packed with accolades. She earned the prestigious AAI Award as the nation’s top senior gymnast, picked up West Region Gymnast of the Year honors for the second time, and secured Big Ten Gymnast of the Year. She also dominated the Big Ten Championships by winning the all-around and three individual titles, including a flawless 10 on the floor exercise.
An Unrivaled Resume on the International and Collegiate Stage
Beyond her collegiate dominance, Chiles brings a wealth of elite international experience to her new coaching role. She is a two-time Olympian who claimed a silver medal with the U.S. team in Tokyo 2020 and team gold in Paris 2024, alongside an individual bronze on the floor exercise in Paris.
Her hardware collection also includes three medals from the 2022 World Championships—team gold alongside silver on both vault and floor. She spent a remarkable 11 years on the U.S. National Team, setting a USA Gymnastics record. Outside of gymnastics, her public profile skyrocketed: she was a finalist on “Dancing with the Stars,” was named a TIME Magazine Woman of the Year in 2025, made TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports list in 2026, and authored a New York Times best-seller, I’m That Girl.
| Category | Stat / Honor |
|---|---|
| NCAA Titles | 4-Time Champion (Bars: 2023, 2025; Floor: 2023, 2026) |
| All-American Honors | 23-Time All-American |
| Perfect 10s | 19-Time Scorer |
| Conference Titles | 7-Time Champion |
Elevating the Next Generation of Bruins
UCLA head gymnastics coach Janelle McDonald expressed immediate enthusiasm regarding the addition of her former star. “I’m excited to watch her continue that influence in a new capacity as she steps into this next chapter with student coaching.”
As Chiles finishes her studies in African American Studies and steps onto the floor staff, she joins a program looking to build on its Big Ten regular season and championship dominance.
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