University of Maryland Athletics

In his tenure with the Terps, Brett Nelligan has brought in some of the top recruiting classes in program history and led the program to thirteen NCAA Regional appearances (2010-25).

In 2025, Nelligan led the GymTerps to their best NCAA Regional performance in program history with a score of 196.825. The team also set new program records for regional competition on both floor and vault, earning scores of 49.325 and 49.225, respectively.

In 2024, the GymTerps finished 13-7, winning Session I of the Big Ten Championships for the first time in program history. Also achieving their highest team score at the Big Ten Championships, 196.775. Nelligan led Emma Silberman to NCAA Nationals as an individual qualifier, the first Terrapin since 2001. 

In 2021, the GymTerps welcomed seven new freshmen for an unprecedented COVID-19 season. The Maryland Gymnastics program was selected to compete at the Tuscaloosa NCAA Regional in a play-in meet against Eastern Michigan. Maryland edged EMU in the final routine of the meet led by senior Audrey Barber. The Terps went on to compete in the second round. 

The 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In 2018, Nelligan was named Big Ten Coach of the Year. 

In 2017, the GymTerps featured a young roster as Maryland welcomed one of its top recruiting classes. The Terps tied their third-highest score in program history on floor at the Pink Invitational, scoring a 49.450, which is also the fourth-highest single event total in program history. Maryland went seven straight meets with over a 195 team score and no falls counted. 

Nelligan coached Emily Brauckmuller to Second Team All-Big Ten honors on floor, and led Brauckmuller, Sarah Faller, Kirsten Peterman and Alecia Farina to NCAA Regionals.
Nelligan sent three gymnasts to NCAA Regionals in 2016. Maryland's leader throughout the season, Kathy Tang earned Seconnd Team All-Big Ten honors on vault.

In 2015, the GymTerps competed in their seventh straight NCAA Regional, placing third at Auburn with a 195.150 for the team's highest postseason finish since 2001. Maryland made a statement with a win over No. 11 Minnesota in the program's first-ever Big Ten Conference meet. Stephanie Giameo and Karen Tang earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors on beam and bars, respectively. The GymTerps ranked 23rd nationally in attendance with 1,584 fans per meet.

Nelligan led the Terps to their sixth consecutive NCAA Regional appearance in Happy Valley in 2014 after placing second at the EAGL Championships for the second year in a row. Nelligan also led the Terps to an undefeated home record and an 11-7 record overall. Stephanie Giameo earned All-EAGL First Team honors on vault, beam and all-around while Karen Tang posted All-EAGL First Team on bars and floor and Second Team All-EAGL in the all-around. Kathy Tang was named All-EAGL First Team on vault and bars and Ebony Walters earned All-EAGL First Team on floor.

Under the coaching of Nelligan, Katy Dodds and Stephanie Giameo, were named 2013 NACGC/W All-Americans. The honors represent the first All-America honors for the Terrapins since 2001. The 2013 season proved to be incredibly successful as Nelligan guided the team to an impressive 18-3-1 and 11-1 conference record. The team finished second at the EAGL Championships. 

Under Nelligan's tutelage, the Terps scored their top-two all-time scores on vault in 2012. At Penn State on March 17, Maryland scored a 49.200 and followed up with its all-time best score of 49.225 at the EAGL Championships. Nelligan helped Katy Dodds and Ally Krikorian earned event championships and along with Karen Tang achieve First Team All-EAGL honors.

In 2011, Nelligan guided the Terps gymnastics squad to an undefeated record within the EAGL conference and the team's third consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. Prior to competing in the NCAA, Nelligan and Maryland placed third at the EAGL Championships, with senior Abbey Adams earning top All-Around honors.

Nelligan helped lead the 2010 Terrapin team to an NCAA Regional appearance, as well as a top-four finish in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League. In the 2010 season, Maryland earned a regular season record of 17-9 and finished in the top 30 in all five events.

A member of the coaching staff since July 2003, Nelligan is credited with securing several of the Terps' most talented recruiting classes ever. Nelligan's recruiting success helped him earn the title of recruiting coordinator in May 2006. His father, former head coach Bob Nelligan, believes what makes Brett a good recruiter is his believability, "He is selling something that he believes in, his father and the Maryland gymnastics system. He also goes out recruiting with a plan to bring in the highest ranked athletes."

A 2003 graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a degree in sport management, Nelligan competed in gymnastics for the Minutemen for three seasons, serving as co-captain as a junior. On vault, he placed in the top-10 at the NCAA Championships and third at the ECAC Championships. He was also an Academic All-American and aided his team in winning two ECAC Championships.

Nelligan turned to diving after the UMass gymnastics program was cancelled and helped the team achieve its third straight Atlantic-10 title.

A native of College Park, MD, Nelligan and his wife Angela have two daughters, Taya and Riley.

Updated August 13, 2025