Former Alabama standout and longtime Minnesota assistant Geralen Stack-Eaton has been named California’s new head coach. Stack-Eaton steps into the role following the departure of co-head coaches Justin Howell and Liz Crandall-Howell, who led Cal for over a decade before accepting a joint position to take over Clemson’s program. The transition leaves Stack-Eaton with big shoes to fill, but her resume shows she’s more than capable of taking the reins of a program that’s become a consistent nationals contender.
“We are very pleased to welcome Geralen to the Cal Family,” Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton said. “She brings a wealth of experience, both as a coach and competitor that has been to the pinnacle of the sport. Our women’s gymnastics team is one of the top programs in the country, and we are thrilled that Geralen will be leading us into the next chapter.”
A two-time NCAA champion as a gymnast at Alabama, Stack-Eaton was a vital part of the Crimson Tide’s 2011 and 2012 championship teams. Her competitive accolades include NCAA event titles on floor and beam and multiple All-America honors. Since transitioning into coaching, she’s spent over a decade at Minnesota, helping guide the Gophers to national prominence, including a Big Ten title and a top-eight finish at the NCAA championships in recent years. Her reputation for crafting standout beam and floor lineups became a cornerstone of Minnesota’s success.
“I’m extremely honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead Cal women’s gymnastics,” Stack-Eaton said. “This program embodies excellence—blending a world-class education with an elite athletic experience—and I’m proud to be part of its continued tradition of success. My coaching philosophy is rooted in mentorship, empowerment, and high-level performance. I look forward to guiding each student-athlete to reach their full potential, pursue ambitious goals, and grow as confident leaders on and off the competition floor. Together, we’ll build on Cal’s incredible legacy and shape a future defined by passion, unity, and championship-level achievement.”
Cal enters this new era with momentum. The Golden Bears finished as national runners-up in 2024. The team also captured regular-season conference titles each of the past two seasons, in the Pac-12 in 2024 and in the ACC in 2025.
Stack-Eaton inherits a talented roster but also faces challenges as the program navigates change. With several upperclassmen moving on, high-profile recruits changing their commitments, and a coaching staff overhaul underway, the 2026 season may be a transitional one.
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Article by Elizabeth Grimsley
