Devin Wright joined Head Coach Nicole Jones' first Nebraska women's gymnastics staff as an assistant coach for the 2026-27 season.
Wright, who brings a reputation as one of the nation's top floor and vault coaches, worked alongside Jones as WCGA Regional Assistant Coaches of the Year three times (2023, 2025, 2026) in their four seasons on staff together at Michigan State.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Devin to Lincoln. She is widely regarded as one of the premier vault and floor coaches in the country, and her results speak for themselves," Jones said. "What truly sets her apart is her relentless attention to detail and the standard of excellence she brings to every aspect of the program. She will play an integral role in elevating our recruiting efforts as we work together to raise the level of Nebraska Gymnastics. Just as importantly, she fully aligns with the vision we are building here and will be a driving force in bringing that vision to life."
In 2026, Wright helped the Spartans to their fourth straight NCAA Regional appearance with her on staff. MSU was the Big Ten runner-up and closed the season with a No. 12 national ranking and a 24-8 record. The Spartans posted nine team scores of 197.000 or higher, including a season-high 197.700 in a win over No. 17 Auburn (March 6). Nikki Smith captured first-team All-America honors in both the all-around and on beam while being named Michigan State’s first-ever AAI Award Finalist.
"I am beyond excited and truly honored to join the Nebraska women's gymnastics staff, Wright said. "This program has a proud tradition, passionate support, and all the pieces in place to accomplish something really special. The opportunity to help build the future of Nebraska Gymnastics is one I'm incredibly grateful for. Nicole is one of the best leaders in our profession, and I'm thrilled to work alongside her as we create a culture built on excellence, trust and daily growth. I can't wait to get to Lincoln and work with our student-athletes, staff and Husker community. GBR!"
In 2025, MSU advanced to the NCAA Championships as a team for just the second time in program history and first since 1988, finishing No. 6 in the final national rankings. Six Spartans were named All-Big Ten and seven Spartans combined for a total of 11 All-America honors.
As the primary vault coach, Wright led the Spartans to the top three event scores in MSU history and also coached the floor squad to the program's fifth-best event score of all-time. Olivia Zsarmani (vault) and Gabrielle Stephen (beam) won individual Big Ten titles.
MSU won its second-straight Big Ten regular season title and its first Big Ten Championship title in 2024. Wright helped guide the Spartans to an overall record of 29-7 for the most wins in program history, while Skyla Schulte (all-around, floor) and Baleigh Garcia (beam) won Big Ten titles and Schulte and Nikki Smith advanced to the NCAA Championships. Seven Spartans earned All-Big Ten honors.
In her first season as a collegiate coach, Wright was an integral part of the Spartans' success during the 2023 season, being named WCGA Region 4 Assistant Coach of the Year alongside Jones. MSU broke the program overall record twice during the season, eclipsing the 198.000 mark for the first time in program history with a 198.225 on March 5. The Spartans also set the vault record (49.575) and tied the floor record (49.675) with Wright as the primary coach on those events. MSU won its first Big Ten regular-season title in 2023.
Wright also guided Delanie Harkness (bars) and Sage Kellerman (vault) to Big Ten titles in 2023. Harkness (floor) and Gabrielle Stephen (beam) qualified as individuals to the NCAA Championships, marking the first time since 1997 the Spartans qualified multiple individuals to the national championships in the same year. Five student-athletes were named All-Big Ten.
Wright arrived in East Lansing after spending five years as a club coach at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy. While at CGA, Wright served as an assistant head coach for level 8, 9, and 10 gymnasts, and worked as the club’s head beam coach. She also served as lead beam coach for USA Gymnastics’ Region 5.
Under Wright’s tenure, CGA produced 20 USA Gymnastics Development Program national qualifiers and 15 Eastern National qualifiers. Her athletes combined for over 50 Region 5, Eastern Nationals, and Development Program Nationals all-around and event titles and top-10 finishes. Wright also coached four Development Program National Team Camp members and four Region 5 All-Star team members in addition to five TOPS National Team members. In 2022, Wright’s level 8, 9, and 10 teams all captured first-place team finishes at the Ohio state meet.
Wright also assisted in the college recruiting process for CGA’s student-athletes. While at CGA, 20 of Wright’s gymnasts signed national letters of intent to Division I schools in the Southeastern, Big Ten and Mid-American conferences.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Wright graduated from Beavercreek High School and was a competitive gymnast for nine years. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from the Chamberlain College of Nursing in 2017.
She and her husband, Joe, were married in the fall of 2024.