By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Kent State University athletic department announced a two-year contract extension for gymnastics head coach Brice Biggin on Thursday.

Biggin, who was a four-year gymnast at KSU, beginning in 1980, became a coach for the Golden Flashes in 1983 as an assistant on the men’s team. He remained in that role until joining the women’s team as an assistant in 1985. He was named the associated head coach in 1987, then became the head coach in 1992.

“Coach Biggin is synonymous with Kent State gymnastics, and he continues to elevate the gymnastics program to new heights,” Kent State Vice President and Athletic Director Randale Richmond said. “He personifies our mission to graduate student-athletes, boldly prepared for life after sport and winning championships. I am excited for the future of Kent State gymnastics under his leadership.”

In 33 years leading the program, Biggin has been selected as the Mid-American Conference’s Coach of the Year 11 times, while the Flashes have appeared in 24 regional competitions, including winning the NCAA Regional title and NCAA Championships appearance in 2011, the same year that Biggin was named the National Coach of the Year.

Biggin has had 26 gymnasts win a MAC championship, including eight that have won Gymnast of the Year.

In 2023, Kent State was co-champions of the MAC and finished the season with the highest national ranking in program history at No. 23.

“I am so appreciative of the support and confidence that Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Randale Richmond has in giving me this extension,” Biggin said. “Kent State is a special place to coach at and being able to continue leading the women’s gymnastics team means the world to me. It has truly been an honor to be able to lead this team for the past 33 years, and I look forward to seeing what this time will accomplish in the next two years.”