The Arizona GymCats have officially completed their coaching puzzle, and it's a lineup that promises to bring fresh energy and expertise to the program. In a move that signals a new chapter for the team, head coach John Court has hired former Nebraska associate head coach Brian Amato as an assistant coach—a seasoned veteran who will take the reins on the uneven bars.
This is a big deal for Arizona gymnastics. For the first time in several years, the GymCats will have a dedicated coach for each event, giving athletes specialized attention across the board. Amato, who spent the last six years as Nebraska's primary bars coach, brings a track record of success at the Power 4 level. Under his guidance, the Huskers' bars lineup consistently ranked nationally, hitting a program milestone in 2023 with a 49.500 score—tying for the 10th-best in school history.
"Brian is a great person and championship-level coach," Court said in a press release. "His uneven bars teams have been nationally ranked over the years, and he is a tireless recruiter."
Amato's hiring, alongside fellow assistant Julia Ballard Clark, marks a strategic shift for Court. In the past, he often brought on young coaches fresh from their own college careers—like former GymCat Emma Strom, who will now oversee floor exercise. But with Amato's 13 years of college coaching experience and 17 years at the club level, the staff now blends youthful energy with seasoned expertise. Ballard Clark will coach balance beam, while Court himself will take the lead on vault.
Amato's impact at Nebraska was immediate and lasting. In his third season, the Huskers qualified as a team for regionals—a feat they hadn't achieved in his first two years—and bars was a driving force. Sophomore Emma Spence posted a personal-best 9.975 on the event, tying the third-best score in program history, and went on to finish third at the 2024 Big Ten Championships. The team as a whole placed 20th nationally on bars, a testament to Amato's coaching acumen.
For Arizona fans, this hire signals a commitment to building a well-rounded, competitive program. With a full staff in place and a coach who knows how to elevate routines under pressure, the GymCats are poised to make some noise in the coming seasons.