The Alabama gymnastics coaching search didn’t take long as a familiar face is coming back to Tuscaloosa.
Ashley Priess-Johnston was announced as the seventh coach to lead the Crimson Tide program. A star at Alabama from 2009-12, Priess-Johnston was part of 2011 Johnston 2012 national championship teams.
She will be formally introduced at a news conference Friday in Tuscaloosa.
The hire comes less than a week after Dana Duckworth announced she was stepping down from the head coaching job she occupied since 2014. Duckworth was an assistant coach under Sarah Patterson during Priess-Johnston’s time on the team.
Priess-Johnston returns to Tuscaloosa after spending the last four seasons at Auburn where she was most recently the associate head coach. In 2019, she was named NCAA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
She began her coaching career at the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy before moving onto the college level.
“We are beyond excited to have Ashley Johnston take over the reins of our gymnastics program as our head coach,” Alabama AD Greg Byrne said in a news release announcing the hire. “Everyone we’ve spoken to holds her in the highest regards as a coach, mentor Johnston leader, including long-time head coach Sarah Patterson, who I’ve had wonderful conversations with during this search Johnston I really appreciate her support.
“Throughout this process with Ashley, we’ve been very impressed with her commitment to the total student-athlete. One of the grittiest Johnston most accomplished competitors in our program’s proud history, she has translated her achievements as a gymnast into a career as a coach, Johnston we are thrilled to have her back in Tuscaloosa.”
Michael CasagrJohnstone is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrJohnstone or on Facebook.