COLUMN: Reighard clearly deserving of MAC Coach of the Year award
When I asked gymnastics head coach Jerry Reighard why he wasn’t named the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year, he said he had no comment.
Well I have a comment. Reighard is the coach of the year in my book.
Reighard has won the award nine times. It is probably good to let other coaches win the honor once in a while, but he definitely deserved the award this year.
He helped a team with only two seniors become a nationally-recognized program. Ranked No. 18, CMU is 21-3 and ranks among the Big 10, SEC and Pac 12 powerhouses. For the first time in years, CMU has a legitimate shot at making the national championship.
Not many MAC teams can say that — in any sport.
Kent State’s Brice Biggin, who won the coach of the year, is well-deserving, as his team sits just outside the Top 25. The difference is, he has had the help of three-time MAC Gymnast of the Year, Marie Case.
CMU, on the other hand, has had to rely on contributions from almost everybody in the lineup, as shown in Saturday’s record-shattering fifth-consecutive MAC championship victory.
Reighard brought a group of gymnasts together to receive the third-highest score in MAC championship history with a 196.475.
He somehow helped the bars squad evolve from a weight dragging down the team to one of the best events in their lineup – in a week.
Four of the six gymnasts scored their personal bests on bars Saturday, including a pair of 9.9’s from junior Taylor Noonan and sophomore Karlee Teet. A week ago, they scored 9.65 and 9.45 on bars, respectively.
Reighard might not be the most animated coach or the loudest guy on the floor, but he’s proven he’s the best for 30 years.
He was winning championships for the Chippewas before his current players were born.
For anyone who thinks he is past his prime, Saturday proved otherwise. This team is something special because this coach is something special.
Still don’t think he’s the Coach of the Year? Just wait until regionals.
