Penn State has named Jennifer Green as the new head coach for its women’s gymnastics team. Dr. Patrick Kraft, Penn State’s vice president for intercollegiate athletics, made the announcement, highlighting Green’s recent achievements with the Air Force Academy. Renowned for her success in the Mountain West Conference, Green brings a proven track record of elevating programs. Her time at Air Force saw the Falcons achieve a historic regional qualification in 2026, the first for the program since 2002.
Kraft pointed out that Green’s experience coaching in the Big Ten and SEC, two of the most competitive collegiate conferences, makes her a strong fit for Penn State. Green’s past experience includes guiding LSU to regional titles as a player and supporting other programs to high rankings. She is known for her program-building skills and for her ability to develop student-athletes both on and off the competition floor. Green praised Penn State’s legacy of excellence, noting the university’s focus on student-athlete development as an opportunity to take the program to the next level.
Green's Impact at Air Force
From 2021 to 2026, Green led a major transformation at Air Force, turning the Falcons into a national force. Her team earned podium finishes at USA Gymnastics Nationals, an achievement not previously reached by the program. During her tenure, 26 athletes were named All-Americans, and 19 earned scholar-athlete honors. In 2026, the Falcons ranked as high as 36th in the national standings, their best finish ever and the highest since 2002. This performance earned them a spot at the NCAA Regionals, a milestone for the academy.
At Air Force, Green’s leadership led to numerous record-breaking performances. Her team broke meet records in the all-around and on the vault, showing consistent excellence. One standout moment was when the Falcons recorded a score above 197 during a dual meet against Fisk University, the first of its kind for the program and the Mountain West Conference. Green’s squad also received 46 weekly awards from the conference in 2026, with 10 gymnasts earning All-Conference recognition. Maggie Slife, a junior, was a standout, earning back-to-back Mountain West Gymnast of the Year titles and becoming the first Air Force athlete to qualify for the NCAA National Championship as an all-around gymnast.
A Long and Diverse Coaching Career Before Air Force
Green's Early Coaching Career
Prior to joining Air Force, Green spent six years coaching at the University of Iowa and two years at Missouri. At Iowa, she helped the women’s gymnastics team secure two top-20 finishes. In 2016, she received the NCAA North Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year award for her contributions to the team. Her work at Iowa also included a key third-place finish at the Champaign Regionals in 2017, a testament to her impact in competitive settings.
While at Missouri, Green focused on choreography and beam training. Before moving to Missouri, she coached for 16 years at two Kansas-based clubs: Elite Gymnastics Club and Kansas Gymnastics and Cheer. At both, she specialized in beam and floor, mentoring gymnasts who went on to win state, regional, and national titles. Green’s ability to succeed in both club and collegiate settings shows her versatility as a coach.
Green's Background as a Gymnast
Green’s experience as a gymnast also played a role in her development. She played a key part in LSU’s 1986 NCAA Central Regional championship team. Her own success, including an All-America honor on the vault in 1987, reflects a competitive mindset that she brings to her coaching.
With a deep understanding of what it takes to win at the highest level, Green is well-equipped to lead Penn State into a new era of success. Her blend of competitive experience, program-building skills, and commitment to student-athlete development positions her as a strong candidate to build on Penn State’s tradition of excellence in gymnastics.
Green’s appointment signals a new chapter for Penn State’s gymnastics program. Her vision for the team includes fostering strong relationships with student-athletes, alumni, and fans while driving the program toward Big Ten and national championships. With her proven leadership and passion for the sport, Green is ready to build a culture of excellence at Penn State.
Her transition to Penn State is expected to bring a fresh energy and focus to the program. Green’s background in both the Big Ten and SEC conferences gives her insight into the level of competition at the highest tier, which she plans to use to elevate Penn State’s performance. Her goals include not only achieving national recognition but also creating a program that values character, resilience, and academic success alongside athletic achievement.
As Green prepares to take the helm at Penn State, she brings with her a wealth of experience and a clear vision. From her accomplishments at Air Force to her previous roles at Iowa, Missouri, and various club teams, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to build successful programs. With her arrival, Penn State fans can look forward to a new era of excellence in women’s gymnastics.