Yuan Xiao

Yuan Xiao
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2000–2005Oklahoma (assistant)
2006–2021Michigan (assistant)
2022–presentMichigan
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
  • 3× Big Ten Coach of the Year (2022–2024)

Yuan Xiao is a Chinese gymnastics coach, who is currently the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines men's gymnastics team and assistant coach for the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team.[1]

Coaching career

Xiao began his coaching career as a coach for China men's national artistic gymnastics team, a position he held from 1994 until 1999. In 1999, he moved to Houston, Texas to coach at the Houston Gymnastics Academy.[2]

On October 19, 2000, Xiao was named a coach for the Oklahoma Sooners men's gymnastics team. While at Oklahoma, he helped lead the team to NCAA championships in 2002, 2003 and 2005, and runner-up finishes in 2001 and 2004.[3]

After five years as a coach at Oklahoma, on August 5, 2005, he was named an assistant coach for the Michigan Wolverines men's gymnastics team.[4] On April 25, 2022, Xiao was promoted to head coach, agreeing to a five-year contract through the 2027 season.[5] As head coach at Michigan, he has led the Wolverines to three consecutive Big Ten Conference championships and three consecutive Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year awards.[6][7]

On June 1, 2023, Xiao was named head coach for the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team at the 2023 Summer World University Games.[8] However, the event was cancelled due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[9] He served as an assistant coach for the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics.[10] [11] Team USA's won a bronze medal in the team all-around, their first in the event since 2008.[12][13]

Personal life

Xiao and his wife, Julia, a former Cirque du Soleil performer, have two daughters, Pearl and Sophia.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Yuan Xiao". MGoBlue.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  2. ^ Rosenweig, Colt (February 4, 2009). "Xiao applies lifetime of gymnastics experience to coaching Wolverines". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "OU Men's Gymnastics Hires Xiao". soonersports.com. October 19, 2000. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  4. ^ "Yuan Joins Men's Gymnastics Staff as Assistant Coach". MGoBlue.com. August 5, 2005. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Kemps, Scott (April 25, 2022). "Xiao Promoted to Head Coach of Michigan Men's Gymnastics Program". MGoBlue.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  6. ^ Kemps, Scott (April 5, 2024). "Wolverines Earn Fourth Straight Big Ten Championship; Richard Takes All-Around Title". MGoBlue.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  7. ^ Kemps, Scott (April 6, 2024). "Blixt, Bold Haul in Big Ten Titles; Xiao Named Coach of the Year". MGoBlue.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  8. ^ Behel, Kensley (June 1, 2023). "Michigan's Xiao Yuan to Serve as Head Coach for the 2023 World University Games". neutraldeductions.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  9. ^ "FISU suspends Yekaterinburg hosting rights for 2023 World University Games". insidethegames.biz. April 29, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  10. ^ "University of Michigan Roster for 2024 Paris Olympics". MGoBlue.com. July 25, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  11. ^ Park, Alice (July 1, 2024). "Meet the U.S. Gymnastics Team for the Paris Olympics". Time. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  12. ^ "U.S. men win historic team bronze at 2024 Olympic Games". usagym.org. July 29, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  13. ^ Barton, Hanna (July 29, 2024). "U.S. Men's Gymnastics Earns First Team Medal Since 2008". teamusa.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.