Jay Clark on LSU's national prominence: 'This is just getting started'

After LSU gymnastics secured its first national championship in program history, rumors swirled around head coach Jay Clark and a possible return to Georgia. During the team’s championship parade last week, Clark set the record straight.

“The last few days have been a whirlwind for me and the entire staff,” Clark said. “It’s been crazy. A lot of it has been advertised. I don’t want to talk about it. Here’s what I know: we’re LSU Tigers, and we’re staying here. This is just getting started.

“We love the team that’s here. We love the team that’s coming back. You guys stay with us. This is about to get crazy around here. Go Tigers.”

LSU’s roster will certainly look different next year. The Tigers had 11 gymnasts listed on its roster this season as either a senior or a graduate student. That included some massive names like Haleigh Bryant, Kiya Johnson, and Livvy Dunne.

Bryant, in particular, had a standout performance to win the championship, putting up a high score of 9.95 on the vault. Overall, her lowest score was 9.875 on the bars. She and Johnson were the only two Tigers to compete in all four rotations, with Johnson’s lowest score being 9.8875 on the bars.

LSU ready to run it back next season

Despite LSU’s likely departures this offseason, Jay Clark feels excellent about the program’s future.

“I feel really good about the team we have coming back next year,” Clark said. “Their role will continue to increase and get more and more. I think they’re tremendous, but I feel incredibly optimistic about what we have coming back and the freshman class that’s coming in. I’m excited.”

Amid the losses, LSU still boasts no shortage of talent on next year’s team. Aleah Finnegan is only a junior and she competed in three of four rotations. Further, Konnor McClain is a widely talented freshman who competed in three rotations and had the best balance beam score for the night with a 9.9625.

To pile on, LSU is reeling in what is regarded as the nation’s top-rated recruiting class, led by U.S. Pan American Games team members Zoe Miller and Kaliya Lincoln. Clark will have all the pieces he needs to make another run at the national title next season. Evidently, he’ll have extra motivation too.

In September, Clark received a two-year contract extension through 2027 with his base salary remaining at $280,000. However, reports claim raises are on the horizon for Clark and Co.