Auburn’s new head coach, Ryan Roberts, is beginning to shape his staff ahead of the 2026 season.
Roberts announced Wednesday the additions of Aja Sims-Fletcher as associate head coach, Adam Duncan as assistant coach, and Sophia Davila (née Groth) as assistant coach, bringing a blend of collegiate and club experience to the program.
Sims-Fletcher joins Auburn following two seasons with Illinois, where she contributed to athlete development, including helping Chloe Cho earn back-to-back All-Big Ten First Team honors and a Big Ten Freshman of the Year title.
“Aja is exactly who we want representing Auburn gymnastics,” Roberts said. “As a former standout gymnast and someone with NCAA coaching experience, she was what I was looking for in an associate head coach. She brings a relentless work ethic and a genuine ability to connect with student-athletes. More importantly, she elevates the standard in the gym every single day. This is a championship-caliber addition to this program.”
Prior to Illinois, Sims-Fletcher served as the inaugural head coach at Talladega College women’s gymnastics, launching the first women’s gymnastics program at an HBCU in Alabama. She also spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant with Alabama, where she did gymnastics from 2014-17.
Duncan brings more than 17 years of coaching experience at the club level, most recently in the Dallas area. He coached at WOGA from 2017 to 2021, where six of his athletes advanced to NCAA Division I programs. He later coached at Empire Gymnastics Academy and Kurt Thomas Gymnastics.
“Adam is a skilled technician, a relentless go-getter, and someone who will be an outstanding recruiter for our program,” Roberts said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with him in a number of settings over the years, and what stands out is his consistency and attention to detail. He understands the standard we’re building at Auburn, and I’m excited for the impact he’ll have on our team.”
A two-time All-American and All-SEC performer for Auburn, Davila was a consistent all-around contributor, competing 185 routines in her career and appearing in the all-around 28 times. She ranks among Auburn’s top 10 all-time on both beam and floor. Following her graduation, Davila spent the past year working with SMU as an athletics development assistant.
“Sophia embodies everything we want Auburn gymnastics to represent—competitive excellence, consistency under pressure and a genuine commitment to the team,” Roberts said. “She’s lived the standard at the highest level and understands what it takes to win in the SEC. She has a true passion to support our student-athletes and develop confidence in high-pressure moments. She will make an immediate impact on our program and comes highly recommended. I’m thrilled to welcome her back to Auburn.”
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Article by Elizabeth Grimsley
