“I can’t think of a more deserving person,” proclaimed Simone Biles as her longtime coach Cecile Landi, was preparing to set up a new office some 850 miles away.
Earlier this year, fans were stoked to learn Cecile would take up a new job as co-head coach at the University of Georgia after the Paris Olympics.
“I can’t think of a more deserving person,” proclaimed Simone Biles as her longtime coach Cecile Landi, was preparing to set up a new office some 850 miles away. Earlier this year, fans were stoked to learn Cecile would take up a new job as co-head coach at the University of Georgia after the Paris Olympics.
Simone was one of the first to advocate for Landi to take the role. And the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The Bulldogs had a dominating presence after a streak of crowning moments as the NCAA champion from 2005-2009. Yet, tides changed, and it has been a dry spell since. For Landi, it’s going to be as regular as clockwork. Why? In 2017, when Cecile teamed up with Biles who was coming off an Olympics (2016) high, two medals in Tokyo and a mental block episode later, Biles withdrew. Cecile didn’t, and wouldn’t get it easy now. But looks like she is going to be paid good money for it too.
As reports suggest, Landi’s tenure is going to start with a lofty 70% hike in salary for her new role. Former UGA head coach and 2004 Olympian Courtney Kupets Carter —who was last reported to draw a salary of $200,000 when her contract was extended for three more seasons in 2022 — was fired in April, opening the floor to then-assistant Ryan Roberts to share the role with Landi.
So, as the iconic coach prepares to settle down elsewhere, it looks like all the memories she’s had at Spring, Texas, are rushing back. Landi shared a picture of the World Champions Centre in her Instagram story from Wednesday. Captioned “Last day,” the accompanying emoji of the story perfectly captured the heartbreak Landi is going through as she packs her bags to leave the Biles family-owned gymnastics club. But there’s more.
In another IG story, the famous coach of the seven-time Olympic gold medalist expressed the emotions of her heaving heart, “Thank you to my WCC family for making these past 7 years incredible! Lots of tears were shed today but I can’t wait to come visit! I’ll miss you all,” wrote Canqueteau-Landi. With Cecile leaving for Athens, how does it position her co-coach husband, Laurent Landi? Well, that remains certain. For now, Laurent will stay back working at WCC along with their swimmer-daughter and 2024 Olympic debutant, Juliette.
Simone remains her biggest cheerleader. As for Landi, the 1996 Olympian wasn’t really interested in her new role at first. With the Paris Games around the corner, and her daughter’s high school graduation fast approaching, the coach didn’t think the move was possible. “You know I can’t go now,” she told Georgia’s assistant coach, Ryan Roberts. However, after a little nudge from her husband Laurent and Biles, the decision was made. “I don’t think I’ll get that good of an opportunity anytime soon,” was Landi’s immediate thought.
Notably, Simone and Cecile’s relationship is not just of a gymnast and her coach. Through these years, it’s slowly transcended to being a family. When Simone moved into her new home, it was her coach that taught her how to operate the dishwasher. When the gymnast faced a problem with her car’s tires, it was Landi who rushed to a nearby gas station to give her an air pump tutorial.
Though Cecile herself never stepped on the Olympic podium, it was her coaching career that put her in the history books. And now, a new challenge awaits ahead that could be a step toward the right direction—redeeming the Georgia GymDogs.
Simone Biles’ trusted ally en route to dominating the NCAA scene
Cecile Canqueteau-Landi was also the coach for Simone & Co. at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. When the “twisties” made Simone decide to pull out of the finals, Landi supported her decision without deliberation and stood firm by the former every step of the way as she slowly returned to action. With Landi by her side, Simone hauled three golds and a silver medal to Paris this year, firmly sealing not only her prowess as an elite gymnast but also Cecile’s status as an extraordinary coach of the sport.
Naturally, with the GymDogs’ performance plummeting at a rapid pace, Georgia wanted to bring in someone who had experience coaching stars at the highest level of the game. And they did so by increasing their coaching salary budget almost trifold, from $207,000 to $605,000 annually. When the university fired its last head coach, Kupets Carter—after seven seasons devoid of any NCAA titles—assistant coach Ryan Roberts stepped up to fill the void, and he soon reached out to Cecile, who was in Italy then, with the job offer.
“I want to win conference, and I want to win nationals. Who better to do it than somebody who’s done it on the biggest stage in the world?” Roberts said about the reason behind opting for Landi. Also, because of the fact that since the 2004-2009 era where the GymDogs earned four SEC championships and five national championships, their trophy cabinet has been empty.
Naturally, excitement is running wild both in Landi’s mind and across the Georgia campus. “What they need right now is a strong leader that will bring everybody together, understanding the goal, understanding the purpose and the reason. I really think Cecile’s going to be able to do that,” said a former GymDogs star, while Cecile also recently shared her enthusiasm for getting the opportunity with the NCAA powerhouse.
Do you think Roberts and Cecile Canqueteau-Landi’s unorthodox coaching methods will reinstate the glory days of Georgia? How do you see the GymDogs’ upcoming NCAA season shaping up with the gymnastics icon on board? Speak your mind with a comment!
