CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Illinois women’s gymnastics has its next head coach, and it’s a familiar face to the program.
Josh Nilson is being promoted to head coach after two seasons as associate head coach for the Illini, Illinois Athletics announced on Tuesday.
Nilson was the head coach at Temple University before coming to Champaign.
The news comes after Illinois announced plans to move on from Nadalie Walsh after eight seasons.
“In the past two years, Josh Nilson has played an influential role in our gym, securing substantial support during this time from team members, recruits, and many within the national gymnastics scene,” stated Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman in a release from Illinois Athletics. “Right from our initial discussion, Josh’s passion for our program and his ambitious vision for its future were crystal clear. I wish to express my gratitude to Josh, his wife Amanda, and their family for placing their trust in us and having faith in the University of Illinois.”
He served as the head of the Temple Owls for five years. Prior to that, Nilson was part of the staffs at the United States Air Force Academy, Utah State, Texas Woman’s University, and Penn State.
Nilson is a native of Cache Valley, Utah.
