Celebrating the Legacy of Jay Clark and D-D Breaux: A Tale of Success and Mentorship

In a purple-filled celebration at Dickies Arena on April 20, the spotlight shifted from Olivia Dunne and others to a heartwarming moment between Jay Clark and D-D Breaux, the legendary coach of the LSU Tigers gymnastics team. Breaux, the mastermind behind the success of the Tigers, embraced Clark, who she had brought to Baton Rouge as an assistant coach.

Clark, in a touching gesture, thanked Breaux, along with other coaching legends, for paving the way for his success at LSU. He acknowledged Breaux for believing in him when his alma mater did not, and for her unwavering support throughout his tenure with the program. Clark expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Tigers to their first national title, a feat that he dedicated to Breaux.

Since taking over as head coach in 2012, Clark and Breaux formed a formidable partnership, achieving numerous milestones and accolades. Breaux, after 43 seasons at the helm, passed the baton to Clark in 2020, who has continued to build on the program’s legacy of success.

Under Clark’s guidance, gymnasts like Olivia Dunne have flourished, with Dunne earning accolades and recognition for her performances. Clark’s expertise in coaching bars has been instrumental in the Tigers’ success, with multiple gymnasts achieving All-America honors under his tutelage.

The confluence of recruiting ability and coaching prowess has been key to Clark’s success at LSU, with his strategic approach and mentorship shaping the team into a powerhouse in collegiate gymnastics. As Clark continues to lead the Tigers to victory, his partnership with Breaux remains a cornerstone of the program’s success.