After 20 years at the helm of Illinois State and over 40 years of coaching, head coach Bob Conkling announced his retirement on Thursday.
“Bob’s passion and dedication over the past 20 years will leave a lasting impact on the gymnastics program,” ISU Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs said. “Under his leadership, the program has seen incredible success in competition and in the classroom. Our gymnasts show up for each other, for other Redbird teams, and for the community which is a reflection on Bob. The impact he has had on student-athletes, assistant coaches and colleagues will leave a lasting legacy in Redbird Athletics.”
Conkling leaves behind a storied legacy at Illinois State. His teams have recorded 37 scores on the school’s top 10 event lists and four of the top five team scores all-time. His gymnasts have climbed the record books individually, with many of the top individual scores belonging to those he’s coached. The Redbirds won the MIC championship with a school-record 196.375 in 2023.
The 2025 MIC Coach of the Year led the Redbirds to a No. 40 overall ranking, the fourth- and fifth-highest scores in program history, and sent three gymnasts (Jaye Mack, Alana Laster, and Sara Wabi) to regionals this season. The program sent its first…
