After 20 years at the helm of Illinois State and over 40 years of coaching, head coach Bob Conkling announced his retirement on Thursday.
“Bob’s passion and dedication over the past 20 years will leave a lasting impact on the gymnastics program,” ISU Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs said. “Under his leadership, the program has seen incredible success in competition and in the classroom. Our gymnasts show up for each other, for other Redbird teams, and for the community which is a reflection on Bob. The impact he has had on student-athletes, assistant coaches and colleagues will leave a lasting legacy in Redbird Athletics.”
Conkling leaves behind a storied legacy at Illinois State. His teams have recorded 37 scores on the school’s top 10 event lists and four of the top five team scores all-time. His gymnasts have climbed the record books individually, with many of the top individual scores belonging to those he’s coached. The Redbirds won the MIC championship with a school-record 196.375 in 2023.
The 2025 MIC Coach of the Year led the Redbirds to a No. 40 overall ranking, the fourth- and fifth-highest scores in program history, and sent three gymnasts (Jaye Mack, Alana Laster, and Sara Wabi) to regionals this season. The program sent its first individual to NCAA nationals in 2021, as Angelica Labat qualified on vault. In 2022, he was named the MIC Coach of the Year after setting records on vault and floor. That season, Jaye Mack became the second individual gymnast in program history to qualify to the NCAA national championships.
“I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since starting as head coach at ISU. It sure has gone fast. It most likely flew by because every year’s team was an absolute pleasure to coach. I’ve enjoyed working to make this team better and trying to raise the level of this program throughout my time here. I feel it is the right time for me, and more importantly, the team, for someone else to take the reins,” Conkling said. “I will always be a Redbird, and I’m looking forward to following the team and watching their continued successes from afar.”
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Article by Tara Graeve
