Jordan Chiles Joins UCLA Coaching Staff, Announces Bid for 2028 LA Olympics

Jordan Chiles is officially entering her coaching era at UCLA, while simultaneously setting her sights on a third Olympic Games. In a span of 24 hours between September 1 and 2, 2026, the 25-year-old gymnastics star confirmed she will join the Bruins' coaching staff as a student assistant for the 2027 season and launch an elite comeback for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The dual announcement secures a massive coaching asset for the Bruins while cementing the core of the U.S. National Team for the next Olympic cycle.[1][2][3]

The announcement of her Olympic bid arrived via a social media video narrated by her namesake, NBA legend Michael Jordan. "Why again? Because the dream is still there," Jordan narrated, before Chiles concluded the video with a simple, "Why not?" The decision makes her the fourth member of the 2024 U.S. Olympic gold-medal squad to commit to a 2028 run, joining Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera.[3]

Staying in Westwood offers a strategic logistical advantage. By transitioning to a student coach role under UCLA head coach Janelle McDonald, Chiles retains access to the Bruins' elite training facilities to prepare for her Olympic return. This keeps her anchored in the Los Angeles area as the city prepares to host the Games, rather than relocating to her former club gym, World Champions Centre in Texas, or following her former elite coaches, Cécile and Laurent Landi, to the University of Georgia.[3][4]

"Being in Pauley as a gymnast was chapter one," Chiles said in a statement regarding her new coaching position. "Now, I get to start a new chapter as coach Jo." McDonald echoed the enthusiasm, noting that Chiles' energy, passion, and leadership will make a unique impact on the 2027 squad as they look to build on their recent Big Ten championships.[1][2]

Chiles transitions to the coaching staff after one of the most decorated collegiate careers in recent history. She graduated this past summer with a degree in African American Studies, leaving behind a resume that includes 23 All-American honors, seven conference championships, and 19 perfect 10s. During her 2026 senior campaign alone, she secured eight perfect 10s and won the AAI Award, given to the nation's top senior gymnast.[1][5]

The move also highlights a growing trend of elite gymnasts successfully balancing NCAA coaching roles with international competition. Jade Carey recently served as a student assistant coach at Oregon State before returning to the elite stage, and Alicia Sacramone famously volunteered at Brown University before making the 2008 Beijing Olympic team.[4]

The Bruins' gymnastics program is navigating a critical transition period following their 2026 campaign, which ended with a national semifinal upset by Minnesota in April. The addition of Chiles to the coaching staff provides immediate stability and elite-level experience to a roster that must now replace her production. Her 131 individual victories as a Bruin leave a massive scoring gap, but her presence on the floor as a coach ensures her leadership remains intact.[2]

Chiles' return to elite gymnastics also sets up a grueling physical timeline. Competing at the international level requires a significantly higher difficulty value than NCAA routines, meaning she will need to upgrade her skills across all four apparatuses over the next 18 months. The 2026 World Championships in Rotterdam this October will likely come too soon for her return, pointing toward a potential elite re-emergence in early 2027.[3]

The financial and branding implications of her dual role are equally significant. As one of the most recognizable faces in the sport, Chiles brings immense visibility to the UCLA program. Her recent accolades include being named a TIME Magazine Woman of the Year in 2025 and authoring a New York Times best-selling book, ensuring that her transition to coaching will be closely followed by both gymnastics purists and mainstream sports fans alike.[1][5]

While the gymnastics world awaits a final decision from seven-time Olympic champion Simone Biles regarding her own 2028 plans, Chiles' commitment solidifies a formidable veteran core for Team USA. For now, the focus shifts to Pauley Pavilion, where she will help guide the Bruins while laying the groundwork for her own Olympic return.[3]