Jay Clark reveals when he knew LSU was going to win the national championship

LSU gymnastics won its first national championship in program history on April 20, edging out Cal, Utah and Florida to earn the crown.

Head coach Jay Clark spoke at the national championship ceremony last week and shared how proud he is of his team.

Clark has been at LSU since 2012 and the head coach of the Tigers since 2020.

“As a coach, I cannot tell you how honored and privileged I am to coach these young women. They exhibited every single attribute you want in a student-athlete,” Jay Clark said. “They handled their business and they bought into the idea that if they poured into one another, and if they cared about each other, and if they really invested in one another, that that would be the strongest pillar of our success.”

All coaches talk about the importance of teamwork and chemistry, but Clark believes that that is truly what allowed LSU to win a national title. Yes, his group is talented, but it is also extremely close.

“I promise you, that’s not coach speak,” Clark said of the importance of his team’s bond. “You hear it from coaches all the time. You do. I watch interviews just like you do. But we spend time on it and they spend time on it and that’s what pulled us through. We were not perfect the other night, but that’s what pulled us through.”

One moment in particular from the night LSU won the national championship sticks out to Clark. He suddenly knew that the Tigers would soon capture their first gymnastics national title in school history after watching the way his team was interacting.

“When I looked over and saw Sierra Ballard knock out that beam set, and then pulled her teammate over and started to have a conversation – they leaned in and headbutted each other. I’m like, ‘we’re winning this baby,'” Clark recalled.

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

LSU is thrilled with winning a national title, but the Tigers aren’t satisfied.

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.”