PROVO, Utah — BYU women’s gymnastics head coach Natalie Broekman announced Friday the hiring of Shannon Evans as an assistant coach.
Evans returns to BYU as one of the most accomplished gymnasts in program history. She competed for the Cougars from 2017-20 and earned second-team All-American honors on bars in 2018 after qualifying individually for NCAA Nationals. Evans became the first BYU gymnast in 14 years to qualify for nationals and earned All-American recognition, finishing seventh in the country on bars.
“I am thrilled to announce that Shannon Evans will return to BYU and complete our coaching staff,” Broekman said. “Cougar Nation knows her as a former All-American on bars and one of the most exciting floor performers our sport has ever seen. She is gritty and unafraid of a challenge. Shannon has high expectations for the future of our team and loves BYU to her core.”
Evans remains among BYU’s all-time leaders, holding the program’s fifth-highest all-around score (39.575), along with the third-highest vault and floor scores (9.950) and second-highest bars score (9.950).
During her career, Evans earned MRGC Freshman of the Year honors and was named the MRGC Gymnast, Floor Specialist and Bars Specialist of the Year. She also won the 2018 MRGC all-around title and earned All-MRGC first-team honors on bars and floor in 2018. In 2019, she received first-team all-conference recognition on vault and in the all-around.
Competing in the all-around all four years, Evans was named MRGC Specialist of the Week 35 times during her career.
She also gained national attention for her Super Mario-inspired floor routine, which was featured by Sports Illustrated and Deadspin.
"It was 10 years ago, almost to the day, that I stepped foot on BYU's campus," said Evans. "I put my whole heart and soul into the program then and I can't wait to return to where it all started, this time as a coach. I am so excited to give my heart and soul again to every woman who chooses to be a part of our special mission. I am here to elevate BYU gymnastics and I'm excited to help build strong women in and out of the gym"
Following her collegiate career, Evans remained involved in gymnastics as a floor choreographer, designing and coaching routines for athletes across the country.
She currently serves as co-head coach at Magic City Gymnastics in Billings, Montana.
Evans graduated from BYU with a degree in exercise and wellness before earning a nursing degree from the University of Utah. She worked as a labor and delivery nurse for two years before transitioning into home health nursing.
A native of American Fork, Utah, Evans will return to BYU with her husband, Ryan, and their two daughters, Lyla and Jasey.