In his first run at Maryland, Ferreira helped the Terps to two regular season ACC/EAGL titles in 2011 and 2013 and two second place finishes in the ACC/EAGL Championships in 2013 and 2014. They finished third at the 2015 NCAA Regionals.
"We're so excited to welcome JJ back to the Maryland Gymnastics family,” Nelligan said. “JJ was with the team through some of the best years in program history and his return will be a huge boost for this talented and maturing team. JJ has accomplished a great deal at both the collegiate and club level and I can't wait to see how far we can take this year's team as well as future generations of GymTerps."
Ferreira coached vault and floor exercise for the Terrapins. During his time on staff, the Terps broke the school vault record six times and set the current program record at 49.30.
“I am incredibly excited to return to such a successful program,” Ferreira said. “The state and University of Maryland became my home and the opportunity to come back is so special. Brett and Erinn have continued to build on the past and they have led the way for a bright future. Being a part of such a competitive gymnastics program and highly ranked academic institution will be an extremely rewarding experience once again. I am beyond thrilled to join the Big Ten conference and the Maryland gymnastics program for the 2018-2019 season.”
Ferreira coached NCAA Vault All-American Katy Dodds in his six years in College Park. He also coached current Terrapin sophomore Audrey Barber prior to her time at Maryland. Barber was named Big Ten and Maryland Athletics Freshman of the Year this season.
Prior to coming to Maryland in 2010, Ferreira was an assistant at Springfield. During his time there, the Pride was named a top ten team academic team in the country. The team finished top three in the Eastern College Athletic Conference and Ferreira was named the ECAC's Assistant Coach of the Year in the spring of 2010.
Ferreira also worked at the Unique Sports Academy in Waldorf, Md. for four years. He spent time with gymnasts in Levels 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Ferreira competed on Springfield's men's gymnastics team from 2004-2008 where he served as co-captain. He qualified for the NCAA Championships in 2006 and 2008 and was a USA Gymnastics Academic All-American. Ferreira served as co-captain from 2006-2008.
Ferreira graduated with a bachelor's of science degree in Movement and Sports Studies and a minor in Health in 2008. He earned his master's of education from Springfield this past spring, with a concentration in athletic administration.
Ferreira currently resides in Halethorpe, MD with his husband RJ Mansfield.
Updated August 13, 2025