Women's gymnastics announces the hiring of two former Olympians

Arizona State women's gymnastics head coach John Spini announces the hiring of two assistant coaches. Jamie Dantzscher and Jean-Luc Cairon will replace Maggie Ethier and Bob Peterson as assistant coaches. Ethier, who is expecting her first child at the beginning of September with husband Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre, will move into a volunteer coaching position while Peterson has decided to focus on getting his degree and explore other career option.

"I am looking at both Jamie and Jean-Luc to help with recruiting," says Spini who is going into his 29th year as head coach for the Sun Devils. "Although neither Jamie nor Jean-Luc has had much experience coaching within the NCAA, I feel both will make a huge impact in recruiting locally, nationally and internationally."

Dantzscher comes to Tempe with an impressive gymnastics resume. After competing in the 2000 Olympic Games as a member of Team USA, Dantzscher moved on to have a stellar career at UCLA. Dantzscher was a four-time individual NCAA National Champion while at UCLA and helped lead the Bruins to three NCAA Championships in four years. Dantzscher won the all-around, vault and floor at NCAAs in her sophomore season at UCLA and was the 2003 co-bars champion. She holds the NCAA record of 28 perfect 10s and is the first and only gymnast to have scored a 10.0 in her first-ever collegiate routine.

"Jamie brings winning ways wherever she goes. She is a winner," says Spini. "She is young and vibrant and, as a former NCAA Champion, she knows the system."

Dantzscher has been a club coach for the past seven years. Prior to coming to ASU, she coached at Diamond Elite Gymnastics in Chino, Calif., and has also worked at Club Champion in Pasadena. She has also coached at numerous summer camps. Dantzscher will oversee beam and floor for the Sun Devils.

"Coaching collegiate gymnastics has always been a dream of mine and I am extremely excited for this opportunity," says Dantzscher, "I cannot wait to begin my career with the ASU family and work our way to the top at the NCAA Championships."

Cairon comes to ASU after being one of the country's top club coaches. A native of Forbach, France, Cairon has been involved in gymnastics since he was seven years old. He was a member of the French Olympic team for the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympic Games and holds three national titles (1983, 1984, 1987). Cairon has been a co-owner and coach at Krafft Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma since 1990. Cairon owns a degree in accounting from Forbach University and a first and secondary degree in physical education from French Ministry of Athletics in Antibes.

"Jean-Luc's responsibilities include vault, bars and tumbling," says Spini. "He is a fantastic technician and will help us in international recruiting."

The Sun Devils will return eight gymnasts from last year's squad including All-Pac-10 seniors Ashlee Hinkle and Tiana Jean.