University of North Carolina Athletics
Matt DeGrandpre Joins Gymnastics Staff As Assistant Coach
August 12, 2024 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The University of North Carolina gymnastics team has welcomed Matt DeGrandpre as an assistant coach ahead of the 2024-25 season, as announced by head coach Danna Durante on Monday morning.Â
"We are thrilled to welcome Matt to our coaching staff," said Durante. "His growth mindset aligns well with our program values, and his passion for education makes him a natural fit for Carolina. Matt will be a tremendous asset as we continue to strive towards our goals both in the ACC and on the national stage. His experience across the sport of gymnastics will provide an added level of insight and innovation."
DeGrandpre arrives in Chapel Hill having spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Texas Woman's University. At the conclusion of both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, DeGrandpre was part of a coaching contingent which was named the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association Division II Regional Co-Assistant Coaches of the Year.Â
During his time in Texas, DeGrandpre was the primary vault and bars coach for the Pioneers while also overseeing academic success and team travel. In 2024, DeGrandpre guided the team to its highest bars score in a decade and coached two individual athletes to school records on vault and bars, both with scores of 9.95.Â
TWU also saw its highest season-opener team score, highest home-opener team score, largest home crowd, highest score on floor and highest national qualifying score during its historic 2024 campaign.
With DeGrandpre on staff, the Pioneers earned back-to-back runner-up finishes at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championship finals. TWU took fourth at the Midwest Independent Conference Championship in 2023 before a second-place showing this past season.
Additionally, DeGrandpre coached a total of five TWU gymnasts to a combined seven Division II WCGA All-America honors on bars and vault.Â
"I am extremely excited to be joining the UNC Gymnastics program," said DeGrandpre. "I look forward to stepping onto campus and getting to work with our amazing student-athletes. I am also so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Danna, Marie and Sami, and I can't wait to see what we accomplish together. Go Heels!"
Prior to his time at Texas Woman's, DeGrandpre served as a graduate assistant coach with the men's gymnastics team at Springfield College – his alma mater – from 2020-22. His duties included helping coordinate practices, planning routines and contributing to the overall success of the program.Â
In 2022, DeGrandpre helped lead the Pride to their first appearance in the NCAA National Collegiate Championships, becoming the first Division III program to ever compete at the meet. The Springfield coaching staff, including DeGrandpre, was named the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year.Â
DeGrandpre competed at Springfield College from 2016-20 where he specialized in vault, pommel horse and floor, earning respective career-highs of 11.5, 11.8 and 12.65. He helped his team finish fourth at the ECAC Championships for three consecutive seasons.
A native of Westfield, Massachusetts, DeGrandpre received his bachelor's degree in movement and sports studies with a concentration in physical and health education from Springfield in May 2020. He earned his master's degree in athletic administration during his time as a graduate assistant.Â
He was also named a USA Gymnastics Academic All-American as an undergraduate.Â
Stay up to date with Carolina Gymnastics by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
"We are thrilled to welcome Matt to our coaching staff," said Durante. "His growth mindset aligns well with our program values, and his passion for education makes him a natural fit for Carolina. Matt will be a tremendous asset as we continue to strive towards our goals both in the ACC and on the national stage. His experience across the sport of gymnastics will provide an added level of insight and innovation."
DeGrandpre arrives in Chapel Hill having spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Texas Woman's University. At the conclusion of both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, DeGrandpre was part of a coaching contingent which was named the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association Division II Regional Co-Assistant Coaches of the Year.Â
During his time in Texas, DeGrandpre was the primary vault and bars coach for the Pioneers while also overseeing academic success and team travel. In 2024, DeGrandpre guided the team to its highest bars score in a decade and coached two individual athletes to school records on vault and bars, both with scores of 9.95.Â
TWU also saw its highest season-opener team score, highest home-opener team score, largest home crowd, highest score on floor and highest national qualifying score during its historic 2024 campaign.
With DeGrandpre on staff, the Pioneers earned back-to-back runner-up finishes at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championship finals. TWU took fourth at the Midwest Independent Conference Championship in 2023 before a second-place showing this past season.
Additionally, DeGrandpre coached a total of five TWU gymnasts to a combined seven Division II WCGA All-America honors on bars and vault.Â
"I am extremely excited to be joining the UNC Gymnastics program," said DeGrandpre. "I look forward to stepping onto campus and getting to work with our amazing student-athletes. I am also so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Danna, Marie and Sami, and I can't wait to see what we accomplish together. Go Heels!"
Prior to his time at Texas Woman's, DeGrandpre served as a graduate assistant coach with the men's gymnastics team at Springfield College – his alma mater – from 2020-22. His duties included helping coordinate practices, planning routines and contributing to the overall success of the program.Â
In 2022, DeGrandpre helped lead the Pride to their first appearance in the NCAA National Collegiate Championships, becoming the first Division III program to ever compete at the meet. The Springfield coaching staff, including DeGrandpre, was named the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year.Â
DeGrandpre competed at Springfield College from 2016-20 where he specialized in vault, pommel horse and floor, earning respective career-highs of 11.5, 11.8 and 12.65. He helped his team finish fourth at the ECAC Championships for three consecutive seasons.
A native of Westfield, Massachusetts, DeGrandpre received his bachelor's degree in movement and sports studies with a concentration in physical and health education from Springfield in May 2020. He earned his master's degree in athletic administration during his time as a graduate assistant.Â
He was also named a USA Gymnastics Academic All-American as an undergraduate.Â
Stay up to date with Carolina Gymnastics by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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