ABILENE, TX – McMurry University has officially announced the appointment of JT Fletcher as the head coach of the men's gymnastics program. Fletcher brings championship experience, a proven track record of athletic development, and deep roots in the Abilene community to the position.
With a coaching career spanning over three decades, Fletcher spent thirty-three years with the Bryan Independent School District, where he established a dominant gymnastics culture. During his twenty-three-year tenure as the head boys coach, he led the program to ten state championships between 1996 and 2017. Under his guidance, forty-seven athletes secured individual state champion titles. His comprehensive approach to program building also included establishing developmental and recreational programs that raised substantial funds for high school athletics and created community scholarships.
The appointment marks a homecoming for Fletcher, who is a 1979 graduate of Abilene Cooper High School. During his high school career, he was a three-year varsity letterman, a ten-time state finalist, and a state champion in three events as well as the all-around. He was honored as the 1979 Millerman Award winner as the outstanding senior athlete and helped lead his team to a state championship. His coaching journey also began in Abilene, where he developed his first recreational gymnastics program at Dyess Air Force Base while still in high school.
Fletcher's extensive background extends to the collegiate and national levels. After competing collegiately at Brigham Young University and Arizona State University, where he served as the 1984 team captain and earned All-PAC-10 honors, he transitioned into leadership roles within the sport. He has served as the Technical Vice President of the Texas Gymnastics Judges Association for over a decade. He has been named Coach of the Year twelve times across various organizations, including the National Federation of State High School Associations.
In addition to his coaching accolades, Fletcher brings valuable expertise in facility operations and equipment management, with extensive experience in gym design and equipment installation for major events such as the NCAA Championships and Olympic Trials. His holistic approach to student-athlete success, emphasizing both athletic excellence and academic achievement, aligns seamlessly with the university's athletic mission.
