Simone Biles' former coach reacts as Winter Cup silver medalist signs with Georgia Bulldogs

Simone Biles' former coach, Cecile Landi, expressed excitement as Winter Cup silver medalist, Brooke Pierson, signed with the Georgia Bulldogs. Landi has been serving as the co-head coach of the Bulldogs' women's gymnastics team since 2024.

Biles and Landi have worked together since 2017, earning multiple World and Olympic medals alongside major honors. At the Paris Olympics, under the latter's tutelage, Biles amassed three gold medals in the all-around, team, and vault and silver in the floor event, becoming the oldest US gymnast to compete at the global level since 1952.

Landi announced retirement from Biles' parents-made gym, World Champions Center, shortly after, and joined the Georgia Bulldogs as co-head coach with Ryan Roberts. The women's gymnastics team last competed in round 2 of the Seattle Regional, failing to make a cut to the NCAA semifinals.

As the 2026 season approaches, Simone Biles' former coach expressed excitement about Brooke Pierson signing with the Bulldogs. She shared the news in her Instagram story and wrote:

"I'm so excited for you and our program! Go Dawgs."

Biles' former coach welcomes new gymnast from transfer portal; Instagram - @cecilelandi

At the 2025 Winter Cup, Pierson clinched the silver medal in the uneven bars and tenth in the all-around event. She also finished runner-up in the uneven bars at the 2023 American Classic.

When Biles was named to the Time 100 most influential people's list, her former coach lauded her for always being an inspirational figure in women's sports throughout her storied career.

"Well deserved!! A true leader who has changed women's sports forever."

Landi also expressed admiration for her former tutee when the seven-time Olympic gold medalist received an honorary doctorate from Washington University. The latter attended the institution to deliver the commencement speech.

Simone Biles' former coach made her feelings known on a major career move after mentoring the Olympian

Cecile Landi at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's "Simone Biles Rising: Part 2" - (Source: Getty)

Cecile Landi, who also competed with the French women's gymnastics team at the 1996 Olympics, retired from her sport in 2002. She began her coaching journey at the French National Training Center and later shifted to Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy.

Having coached at the WCC from 2017 to 2024, Simone Biles' former coach made a major career move by joining UGA as the co-head coach. In April this year, as she completed one year since the announcement, the 45-year-old reflected on the moment and expressed her feelings about the successful year.

"A year ago today!!! 1 season done and ready for more !! so grateful to be here !!! Thanks @vikingcoach for the call & thanks @ugaathletics for the support and trust!"

Biles won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year in 2025, adding to her previous three laurels.

About the author

Agnijeeta is a US Olympics journalist at Sportskeeda. She holds a Master’s degree in English and has worked as a school teacher, a blogger, a content writer and a sports writer over the past 5 years. A lover of high-adrenaline track and field events, she was also a sprinter during her school days.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone happens to be her favorite Olympian, and the athlete’s feat of breaking four records within 13 months inspires her, apart from the American's body language on and off the track. Grant Hackett swimming with a partially dysfunctional lung and winning gold in Athens is her all-time favorite Olympic moment.

Agnijeeta believes that deriving of unique angles from podcasts and interviews carried out by Olympics.com, along with hype-building of potential Olympic events on social media can help fill the coverage gap during the off season.

When not at her work desk, Agnijeeta likes to sing and paint. She also plays string instruments like guitar and ukulele and is an avid player of word puzzles.

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Edited by Agnijeeta Majumder