A longtime Florida Gators gymnastics assistant coach who led the team to nine Southeastern Conference titles and three NCAA vault and floor championships will become associate head coach.
Head Coach Jenny Rowland announced Adrian Burde's new role Friday. It was the first piece of news since the orange and blue took home second place in the 2022 NCAA Championship.
Burde spent the last 16 seasons overseeing the Gators uneven bar performers before coaching vault and tumbling events in 2011.
“His promotion to associate head coach is a testament to his loyalty, hard work and integrity,” Rowland said in a press release.
Burde began his 21 years of collegiate coaching experience in his home country of Romania, where he met and coached 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Alexandra Eremia from 1997-1999.
He also coached five seasons at the University of Nebraska before heading to Gainesville in 2007, when he was named the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches for Women Southern Region Assistant Coach of the Year.
Burde’s eye for talent immediately aided the Gators.
He recruited last season’s senior star gymnast Trinity Thomas, who claimed the NCAA All-Around Championship after she earned a perfect 10 during her floor routine. The senior also secured 27 All-American honors and was named 2022 SEC Gymnast of the Year.
Since his arrival at UF, 22 Gators have claimed 67 All-American honors and a top NCAA Championship score of 49.75 was set in this season’ semifinals. UF holds three of the top floor totals in NCAA Championships history.
“Adrian’s dedication and fearless leadership are second to none,” Rowland said. “We are beyond grateful for all that he does to help the Gators ‘win each day’ year after year.”
Contact Curtis Michaud at cmichaud@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @CurtisMichaud1.
Curtis Michaud is a fourth-year student at the University of Florida within the College of Journalism and Communications. He specializes in sports and media and would like to continue to provide authentic, thorough, and engaging sport content for all readers. He is an enterprise reporter and lacrosse and track and field writer for The Alligator.
