Brett Nelligan Takes Rein of Gymnastics Program
7/31/2009 8:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
July 31, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Coach-in-waiting Brett Nelligan has assumed head coaching duties for the University of Maryland gymnastics team following the retirement of his father, Bob Nelligan.
Brett Nelligan, who served as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2009 season following a five-year stint as assistant coach, becomes the fourth head coach in the 34-year history of the Terrapin gymnastics program. He succeeds Bob Nelligan, who stated his intentions to retire prior to this past season after leading the program for 31 years.
"It is a great privilege and honor to be able to follow in my father's footsteps and serve as head gymnastics coach at the University of Maryland," said Brett Nelligan. "Maryland Gymnastics has a proud tradition of academic and athletic excellence and my staff and I are committed to building on that success to reach new heights. I am truly excited to continue my career as a Terp and to continue working with such a fine group of student-athletes."
The elder Nelligan steps down following a longtime career spanning 493 victories, 19 winning regular seasons and 19 regional appearances. The face of Maryland gymnastics since 1979, Bob Nelligan culminated his career by garnering Division I Southeast Region Coach of the Year and East Atlantic Gymnastics League Coach of the Year honors for his efforts during the 2009 season.
Both Nelligans, along with assistant coach Vicki Chliszczyk, guided Maryland to a memorable season in 2009. The Terrapins secured a berth in the National Collegiate Women's Gymnastics Regional Championships, earned their first Top 25 national ranking since 2005 and posted their best team score (195.100) in nearly four years.
Brett Nelligan inherits a squad that returns 12 letterwinners for the 2010 season, including six seniors. His sister, Kelsey Nelligan, was the lone senior on the 2009 team.
"Our team took a giant step forward this past season, and Brett had a lot to do with that," said Bob Nelligan. "He understands the mechanisms of where the sport of gymnastics is going and he is fully prepared to take over this program and excel as head coach. I am extremely proud of him and cannot think of a more appropriate leader for our gymnastics squad here at Maryland."
Serving as associate head coach and coach-in-waiting during the 2009 season enabled Brett Nelligan to adjust gradually to his new role, as he assumed many of the duties associated with being head coach. In his lone season as associate head coach, six Maryland gymnasts were named to the All-EAGL teams and 11 Terps earned a spot on the EAGL All-Academic squad.
During his tenure as associate head coach and assistant coach, Brett Nelligan has been responsible for overseeing the Terps' vault and floor exercise routines, and both events have routinely produced some of the program's highest scores. In 2009, Maryland achieved its highest average score on vault (48.625). He also has been relied on for his spotting abilities.
In addition to coaching, Brett Nelligan has served as recruiting coordinator for Maryland since May 2006. In that role he has been credited with securing several of the most talented recruiting classes in program history. Freshmen Kyra Phillips and Becca Pang both contributed to the team's success in 2009, with Phillips earning All-EAGL first team honors on vault. The 2008 freshman class has resulted in four strong performers for the Terps, and the larger 2007 freshman class won a combined six Junior Olympic titles prior to arriving at Maryland.
Brett Nelligan accepted an assistant coaching position at Maryland in July 2003 shortly after graduating from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in sport management.
An accomplished gymnast himself, Brett Nelligan competed in gymnastics for three years for the Minutemen, serving as co-captain his final season. He regularly made lineup on vault, floor exercise, high bar and pommel horse. On vault, he placed in the top 10 at the NCAA championships and third at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships. He also earned Academic All-America status and aided his team in winning two ECAC titles. A versatile athlete, Brett Nelligan turned to diving after the Massachusetts gymnastics program was cancelled, and he participated on a swimming and diving team that achieved an Atlantic-10 Conference title.
In recent years, Brett Nelligan has spent summers coaching gymnastics camps at various universities, including Georgia, Arizona, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. He also has assisted the University of Maryland Gymkana Troupe with its summer gymnastics camp. Additionally, he has contributed to the Woodward Gymnastics Camp and spent time at the U.S. Gymnastics Training Center in Holyoke, Mass.
Brett Nelligan currently resides in College Park, Md.
The Brett Nelligan File
Gymnastics Coaching Career
• Maryland associate head coach (2008-2009)
• Maryland assistant coach/recruitment coordinator (2006-2008)
• Maryland assistant coach (2003-2006)
Collegiate Athletics Career
• Massachusetts gymnastics (1999-2002)
• Massachusetts swimming and diving (2002-2003)
Education
• University of Massachusetts, 2003, B.S. in sport management
Personal
• Date of birth: May 26, 1981 in Washington, D.C.
• Family: Bob (father), Chris (mother) and Kelsey (sister)
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