Josh Loeser Named Interim Men's Gymnastics Coach
9/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Josh Loeser has been named the interim head coach of the Air Force men's gymnastics team, following the departure of Kip Simons, who accepted the head coaching position at the U.S. Naval Academy. Loeser, a two-time USAG Varsity Assistant Coach of the Year, is in his fourth season with the Falcons' program.
Air Force will begin a national search for its next men's gymnastics coach
"We want to thank Kip for all his hard work and dedication over the years to Air Force men's gymnastics," Air Force athletic director Jim Knowlton said of Simons, who spent 10 years at the helm of the Falcons' program. "We wish him the best for the future."
Simons joined the Academy staff in 2006 and it took less than two years for his presence at Air Force to be felt on the national stage. Under his coaching, Greg Stine became the program's first gymnast to claim multiple NCAA All-America honors at the same meet, as he placed within the top-eight of the all-around and still rings at the 2008 NCAA Championships. The Falcons claimed the second All-American of Simons' tenure in 2014, when then-freshman Tim Wang finished fourth on the pommel horse.
Air Force has qualified 11 gymnasts to the prestigious Winter Cup Challenge since 2007, after sending just two over the previous 20 years. In addition, three Falcons have competed at the U.S. Junior National Championships and Gared Chapman took part in the U.S. National Qualifier during the summer of 2014.
The team saw a significant bump in their national ranking since his arrival, including rankings as high as eighth in 2012 and 2014. Simons took the team to the NCAA National Qualifier during each of the last five seasons, while 15 gymnasts have advanced to the NCAA semifinals. In 2013, the Falcons accounted for their best-ever finish at the National Qualifier, after finishing fifth in their session and 10th overall.
Air Force has won the last six USAG National Championship team titles, marking the only such occurrences in program history. During that span, the Falcons have accounted for 21 individual event titles, highlighted by a program-record five at the 2015 championships. In addition, the Falcons have swept Army and Navy at the annual All-Academy Championship meet during each of the last six seasons.
Simons had accumulated numerous coaching accolades. The recipient of four CGA Collegiate Division National Head Coach of the Year awards, he has also been honored as the USAG Varsity Head Coach of the Year on five occasions. In addition, Simons has been named the NCAA Regional Head Coach of the Year and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year twice.
Players Mentioned
