San Jose, Calif.----- Neal Gallant, a widely known and respected Bay Area gymnastics coach, is joining the San Jose State University women's gymnastics program as an assistant coach. Joanne Bowers, the Spartans' head coach, made the announcement.
Gallant comes to the Spartans after six seasons as a Stanford University women's gymnastics assistant coach. During his Stanford tenure, he coached Cardinal gymnasts in all four individual events. Stanford qualified for three NCAA regional championships (2016, 2017, 2018), won a 2016 NCAA regional championship meet, and finished fourth at the 2018 NCAA Championships. Elizabeth Price was the 2018 NCAA champion in the uneven bars and Cardinal gymnasts received 11 All-America honors during Gallant's tenure.
"It is an honor to become a part of the San Jose State University athletics department. When (Deputy director) Rob Clark and Joanne Bowers shared their future vision for the women's gymnastics program, I knew I wanted to be involved," said Gallant, a native of Abilene, Texas.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to work with Joanne, her staff and their group of talented student-athletes and look forward to contributing to the success of the Spartan women's gymnastics team," he said.
The 1991 Arizona State University graduate majored in exercise physiology. He competed in the all-around for the Sun Devils men's gymnastics teams as a freshman and a sophomore. The floor exercise, vault, rings, and high bar were his best events. Competing in the junior nationals, he placed second in the vault at the 1986 USGF Junior Olympic Boys National Championships in Atlanta, Ga.
Gallant's Bay Area club coaching experiences include seven years at Almaden Valley Gymnastics in San Jose, six years at Bay Area Aerials Gymnastics in Fremont, Calif., two year at CalWest Gymnastics, and seven years at California Gymnastics Academy in Livermore. Gymnasts from these clubs won individual, team, and all-around California club championships and qualified for regional, western and Junior Olympics national competitions.
"We are very excited to welcome Neal into our Spartan family! He is an excellent spotter and technician," said Bowers, who has known of Gallant's work at the club and college levels for more than 20 years.
"Most importantly, he aligns with the culture we are building here at San Jose State University. Neal cares about the student-athlete as a person and a gymnast and he will help move our program to the next level."
Gallant joins a San Jose State women's gymnastics coaching staff led by Bowers entering her fourth season as the head coach and assistant coach James Williams.