Q&A with Gardner-Webb’s First Head Coach for Acrobatics and Tumbling

Molly Hanley Discusses Her Coaching Philosophy, Inspiration, and the Vision for Launching a New Program

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Molly Hanley, the first head coach for Gardner-Webb Acrobatics and Tumbling, recently sat down for a Q&A with Gardner-Webb Sports Information. She offers some insight into her background, building a program, and what to expect from the first competitions and early years.

Q: What led you to coaching?

Hanley: I competed in artistic gymnastics for 14 years before continuing my athletic career in acrobatics & tumbling at the collegiate level. During my final five years of gymnastics, I competed as a Level 10 athlete, the highest level of the USA Gymnastics Women’s Development Program. I began coaching part-time while I was in high school, working primarily with our Level 1 and Level 2 team athletes. Through that experience, I discovered how rewarding it was to help young athletes learn new skills and gain confidence in themselves. Watching their excitement when they achieved something they had worked hard for gave me a sense of fulfillment that was different from competing myself. I recognized the impact coaches can have on an athlete’s experience, growth, and development both in and out of sport. That realization is what inspired me to pursue coaching professionally and ultimately led me to a career centered on mentoring and developing student-athletes.

Q: What are your principles in guiding a team and what is your coaching style?

Hanley: I believe in coaching through a comprehensive approach that prioritizes the development of the whole student-athlete. The lessons learned through sport are invaluable and directly translate into success in life and future careers. My coaching style is built on high expectations, strong relationships, and personal accountability. I strive to create an environment where athletes understand that they are responsible for their attitude, effort, impact on others, and commitment to the team. Holding athletes accountable while also providing the support and guidance necessary for them to grow is key. This will be a program that develops successful competitors and resilient individuals who are prepared to succeed long after their athletic careers are over.

Q: What are your keys to building a winning program?

Hanley: My three keys to building a winning culture and program are grit, discipline, and belief. In my athletic and professional career, I learned how to stay committed when success was not immediate, trust the process when results were not yet visible, and continue showing up every day with the same level of effort and purpose. A winning culture is built by people who are willing to embrace hard work, persevere through adversity, and remain committed to a shared vision.

Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration in your journey?

Hanley: My college coach, Emily Lewis (then Emily Powers), has been one of my biggest inspirations and the primary reason I pursued coaching. I had the privilege of being a member of her inaugural team and witnessed firsthand what it takes to build a program from the ground up. During my time as a student-athlete, our team grew from just seven athletes to more than thirty and qualified for nationals during my senior year. Watching Coach Lewis lead with vision, consistency, and a genuine investment in her athletes showed me the impact a coach can have on both a program and the individuals within it. The founding women of our sport also inspire me. The legacy they created and the opportunities they pioneered for generations of athletes to come have shaped the sport into what it is today. Their dedication to growing the sport and creating opportunities for women in athletics is something I deeply respect and aspire to honor through my own coaching career.

Q: What drew you to Gardner-Webb and building this program?

Hanley: Gardner-Webb stood out to me because of the beautiful campus, welcoming community, modern facilities, and the genuine excitement surrounding the addition of Acrobatics & Tumbling. Throughout the interview process, it became clear that there is strong institutional support for building a successful program and providing student-athletes with a meaningful experience. What drew me most to this opportunity, however, was the challenge and reward of building something from the ground up. As a student-athlete, I was part of a first-year program and experienced firsthand what it takes to establish a foundation for future success. There is something incredibly rewarding about knowing that your effort today can create opportunities for those who come after you. As a coach, I want to help student-athletes experience that same sense of ownership and pride.

Q: What are the biggest challenges of competing across multiple events in acrobatics and tumbling?

Hanley: One of the biggest challenges in Acrobatics & Tumbling is that many athletes enter the collegiate level with little to no direct experience in the sport. As a result, a large part of the process involves teaching completely new skills while also helping athletes adjust to the demands of a team environment. From a coaching perspective, this requires a strong emphasis on progression and patience. The fall semester is focused on building the technical and foundational skills that will be used in competitions during the spring. Every discipline requires its own level of precision, and those elements take time to develop.

Q: How has your experience helped prepare you to build this program?

Hanley: Having seen the growth of A&T over nearly a decade as both an athlete and a coach, I recognize how much of its success is rooted in smaller institutions that have committed to investing in and developing it. Those environments taught me to be resourceful, adaptable, and intentional with every aspect of the program. My approach is rooted in a “get it done” mentality, where success is built through consistency, accountability, and attention to detail. I am confident that my background will allow me to build a sustainable, competitive program here at Gardner-Webb.

Q: What has fueled the growth of the sport, and where is it headed?

Hanley: The rapid growth of Acrobatics & Tumbling can be attributed to the athletes, coaches, and pioneers who built the sport from the ground up. It was created to display the strength, athleticism, and versatility of female athletes who previously did not have a clear collegiate outlet to express those abilities in a unified team format. As both an athlete and a coach, I have seen firsthand how intentional the development of this sport has been. It was built around opportunity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to growing something new. That foundation has created a strong sense of community and purpose within the sport, which continues to drive its expansion. Looking ahead, I believe Acrobatics & Tumbling will continue to grow as more institutions recognize the value it holds as an NCAA sport for women as visibility increases and more.

Q: During the gap year to recruit and build the program, what can fans expect in 2026?

Hanley: During the gap year, Gardner-Webb fans can expect to see a program that is highly visible and actively laying the foundation for long-term success. Beyond recruiting I want to support my fellow coaches and integrate myself into the Gardner-Webb community. The presence of acrobatics & tumbling will be felt across campus, even before athletes arrive on. The goal is to create early buy-in and pride in the program so that when athletes arrive in fall 2027, they are stepping into something already rooted in standards, expectations, and support. This year is about establishing a program identity that reflects discipline and a commitment to excellence from day one.

Q: Looking ahead to 2027 and the first competitions, what are your expectations for the program’s early years?

Hanley: From day one, the standard will be centered on excellence in the details with clean technique, strong synchronization, and athletes who compete with composure under pressure. Establishing that foundation is critical, because it sets the tone for how the program will grow in the years that follow. As we continue to develop, my goal is for Gardner-Webb to quickly establish itself as a competitive program on the national stage. With the sport gaining NCAA championship recognition, there is an opportunity for programs being built now to position themselves early as contenders. My expectation is that we will progress year by year into a program that is consistently in conversation at the national level.

Q: If you could tell the Gardner-Webb community anything about your sport and what to expect, what would it be?

Hanley: Get excited. Acrobatics & Tumbling is an incredibly entertaining sport to watch, even without a deep understanding of the scoring system or technical rules behind each event. More importantly, I want the Gardner-Webb community to know what kind of student-athletes will represent this program. The athletes I have had the privilege of competing alongside and coaching are some of the most dedicated and driven individuals I have ever been around. They are balancing demanding academic schedules, internships, clinical experiences, and involvement across campus, all while committing fully to their sport. Their ability to show up every day with discipline and a team-first mindset is what makes this sport special. I have no doubt that the student-athletes who join this program will embody those same qualities. I would encourage the Gardner-Webb community to not only watch the sport, but to invest in the people behind it. This program will be built on effort, character, and pride in representing the university at the highest level.

For updates and more news on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, visit gwusports.com, or follow @gwusports on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.