ATHENS, Ga. -- The University of Georgia has hired former gymnast and two-time Olympic medal winner Courtney Kupets Carter as the head coach of the gymnastics program, the school announced on Tuesday.
Kumpets Carter won four national championships while competing at Georgia. She was an assistant gymnastics coach at UGA during the 2009-10 season, and she was inducted to the USA gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2014.
“As a former Gym Dog, I’m thankful for the experiences I had that contributed to the incredible history of Georgia Gymnastics," Kupets Carter said in a statement. "It’s an honor to be back home in Athens, in a community that supports the Gym Dogs with such enthusiasm."
Former head gymnastics coach Suzanne Yoculan Leebern will be a volunteer coach on Courtney Kupets' staff. Yoculan Leebern won 10 national championships, 16 SEC titles and five national Coach of the Year awards while coaching at Georgia from 1983-2009.
"[Athletic Director Greg McGarity] chose a highly successful gymnastics competitor, but more importantly he hired one of most mentally tough athletes I've ever had the honor of coaching," Yoculan Leebern said. "Despite all of her honors and accolades, Courtney has always remained humble...and because of this, I am confident that this journey will be about the athletes, the fans, and the incredible legacy of the University of Georgia Gymnastics program.”
Kupets Carter, 30, led the U.S. to a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. She also won the bronze medal in the uneven bars.
She finished her gymnastics career in 2009, and she was the first gymnast to win a national title in every event.
Kupets Carter has been at SEC Network as a gymnastics analyst since 2015 and taught at Oconee Gymnastics Club.
The Georgia Gymdogs lead the nation with 10 championship titles, including five consecutive from 2005-09.
Georgia released its former coach Danna Durante in April.
