Ames, Iowa – Four-time NCAA champion Ashley Miles Greig has been named the eighth head coach in the history of the Iowa State women's gymnastics program following a nationwide search, ISU Senior Associate Athletics Director Dr. Calli Sanders announced today.
Miles Greig won 20 individual postseason titles during her standout collegiate career at the University of Alabama (2003-06) and was selected the sport's 2006 Honda Award winner (national gymnast of the year) after winning her third national vault title as a senior. She became just the second gymnast in NCAA history, and first in more than 20 years, to win three career titles on vault. In addition to capturing NCAA vault crowns in 2003, 2004 and 2006, Miles Greig shared the 2004 national championship on floor exercise.
"Ashley's dynamic personality and leadership qualities were evident from our first discussion about this position, and when you couple that with her being one of the most decorated collegiate gymnasts of all-time, there was no question that we wanted her to be the next head coach of the Cyclone program," Sanders said. "She has a commanding presence and a passion for collegiate gymnastics that will excite our current student-athletes, future recruits and loyal fans.
"Her commitment to the well-being of our gymnasts fits perfectly with the culture of Cyclone Athletics," she added. "Ashley has a vision to make us a nationally competitive program that excels academically and athletically, and we believe she is the ideal person to lead our program."
A 12-time first-team All-American and two-time team captain for Coach Sarah Patterson's Crimson Tide, Miles Greig won four NCAA titles, six SEC crowns and 10 NCAA Regional championships during her storied career. She helped Alabama to runner-up team finishes at the 2003 and 2005 NCAA Championships, third-place showings in both 2004 and 2006, as well as three NCAA regional team crowns and the 2003 SEC championship.
"I am honored to represent Iowa State University as a steward of the gymnastics program, and am grateful to Jamie Pollard and Calli Sanders for allowing me this opportunity," said Miles Greig, who was named a 2020 Southeastern Conference Legend. "I can't wait to engage with our current student-athletes as we come together to build a championship-level program. What impressed me most on my campus visit was the passion I felt for the Cyclones and the positive culture that was evident throughout the department.
"I look forward to bringing a fresh perspective, new energy, and a renewed level of expectations to this program," she added.
The San Antonio, Texas, native earned a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. women's artistic gymnastics team at the 2001 World Gymnastics Championships. She competed as a member of the U.S. women's team from 1997-2001, and was on the U.S. Senior National team from 2001-2003. Miles Greig led the USA National team to a gold medal at the 2002 Spring Cup, winning individual gold medals in the all-around and balance beam to go along with silver medals on floor exercise and vault.
"I am excited to watch Ashley build the Iowa State program," Pollard said. "She had a tremendous career as a student-athlete at Alabama, and has enjoyed gymnastics success at the highest level from a collegiate standpoint, and those experiences will be an asset to her in building our program. I'm grateful for Calli Sanders' outstanding leadership during the search process, and believe this is a great day for the future of Cyclone Gymnastics."
An advertising major with a minor in Psychology who earned her bachelor of arts degree in Communications and Information Sciences from Alabama in 2006, Miles Greig was selected to the XXXI as a senior, which honors 31 women from the entire University student body.
"Wherever we were, when Ashley was on an event, all eyes in the gym were drawn to her," Patterson said. "It was an amazing phenomenon. I couldn't be more proud of Ashley and she will bring her championship vision to Iowa State and all her athletes. She has the fire and determination to always be a champion."
After ending her collegiate gymnastics career, Miles Greig entered the automobile finance industry, first at the dealer level for five years before joining JPMorgan Chase Bank's auto finance division in 2013. Despite her success in the business world, she has stayed connected to the sport she so dearly loves by serving as choreographer to optional and elite level gymnasts, while also working as an analyst for the ESPN family of networks. Earlier this month, she served as a member of the ESPN/ABC broadcast crew for the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships.
Ashley and her husband, Orestes, have been married for nine years and will be relocating to Central Iowa from Huntsville, Ala.
