MOUNT PLEASANT - The Central Michigan gymnastics program will continue to be under the tutelage of Jerry Reighard, who has come to agreement on a new four-year contract.
The 2012 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year, Reighard has amassed 429 wins over 28 seasons with the Chippewas and most recently captured his third-straight MAC Championships crown. CMU has won a MAC-best 13 conference titles under Reighard and has made nine National Collegiate Athletic Association Regional appearances, including four straight.
"This contract shows that CMU has faith in the coaching staff," Reighard said. "Our efforts through the years have made a difference here on campus, in the classroom and competitively both in the conference and nationally. A four-year contract adds stability for our future recruiting classes. The next generation of CMU gymnasts can now be sure of the coaching staff for their careers. I am very pleased to know that I will be a head coach at this great university for the near future."
Reighard has guided seven MAC Senior Gymnasts of the Year, three Gymnasts of the Year, one Specialist of the Year and five Freshman of the Year winners during his time at CMU, earning MAC coach of the Year honors a conference-record nine times.
"The leadership of coach Reighard and his staff is a big reason why CMU gymnastics continues to be one of the top programs both within the MAC and nationally," Director of Athletics Dave Heeke said. "Coach Reighard has continually shown that he is one of the premier coaches at this level because of his hard work andenthusiasm. Jerry has made a significant impact on the lives of many student-athletes and this extension will allow that to continue for many years to come."
The Chippewas have also excelled in the classroom under Reighard, posting the nation's ninth-best grade point average during the 2010-11 academic year with a cumulative GPA of 3.54. In addition, the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W) named thirteen individuals Scholar-Athlete All-Americans.
The four-year extension that will take him through his 32nd season as head coach does not include any adjustment to salary.
