The University of Washington has named Jessa Hansen Parker as the ninth head coach of the Husky women’s gymnastics program, announced Tuesday by UW Director of Athletics Pat Chun.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Hansen Parker into the Husky family as the leader of our gymnastics program,” Chun said. “Her passion for coaching and commitment to education is beyond evident and we can’t wait to see her vision unfold here on Montlake. Throughout her career, Coach Hansen Parker has shown an amazing amount of energy and focus through leadership and her approach to team building. She brings elite-level experience as a student-athlete and coach at Iowa, as well as a commitment to excellence both athletically and academically, making her the perfect choice to lead our program into a new era within the Big Ten Conference.”
A veteran with more than a decade of experience in the coaching ranks, Hansen Parker brings a decorated resume to Montlake with stops at Iowa, UC Davis and Cal.
“I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the University of Washington women’s gymnastics program,” Hansen Parker said. “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Director of Athletics Pat Chun, women’s gymnastics sport administrator Kiley Strong, and the entire Husky athletics staff for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. It is a privilege to lead these exceptional young women at such a prestigious institution that champions excellence in academics and athletics.
“I am eager to build upon the strong foundation already in place and work tirelessly to advance the program. Together with the team, I am committed to upholding the proud traditions of Washington gymnastics. Go Dawgs!”
Hansen Parker comes to Seattle following four seasons as an assistant at her alma mater, Iowa. During her time with the Hawkeyes, the Des Moines, Iowa, native played a pivotal role in Iowa capturing its first-ever Big Ten Championship in 2021, highlighted by a perfect 8-0 record in conference and No. 17 national ranking to cap off the year.
The following year, Coach Hansen Parker helped guide the Hawkeyes to the NCAA Regional Final for the first time under the current format after finishing third in the Big Ten standings, while also mentoring Adeline Kenlin to a runner up finish on balance beam at the NCAA National Championships.
After Iowa made its 23rd-straight NCAA Regional appearance, along with another third place Big Ten finish in 2023, Hansen Parker helped send four Hawkeyes to the 2024 NCAA Regional Championships.
Over her four seasons, Hansen Parker coached six All-Americans, 13 All-Big Ten honorees and was influential as Kenlin become the fourth Hawkeye in program history to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
“Coach Hansen Parker has a proven track record of success and after a thorough national search it was clear she is the right person to guide UW gymnastics,” Strong said. “Not only will her experience both as a gymnast and coach at Iowa prove beyond valuable in our transition into one of the nation’s great gymnastics conferences in the Big Ten, but her West Coast connections at both Cal and UC Davis provide her with the unique ability to lead our program into this exciting next chapter.”
Prior to returning to Iowa City, Hansen Parker spent four seasons as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at UC Davis from 2016-2020. Leading the balance beam effort for the Aggies, Hansen Parker’s crew posted a 49.075 national-qualifying score in 2019, ranking 23rd in the nation. Hansen Parker was named the 2019 Assistant Coach of the Year by the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
During her four seasons, UC Davis saw seven student-athletes earn individual bids to NCAA Regionals. Additionally, Hansen Parker and the Aggies signed the No. 15 national recruiting class per College Gym News.
Before her time at Davis, Hansen Parker served as an assistant coach for three seasons at Cal from 2013-16, guiding the Golden Bears to final rankings of 16th, 18th and seventh respectively.
Cal earned an NCAA Regional bid in all three seasons with Hansen Parker on staff, culminating in an NCAA National Championship berth in 2016, the first for the Golden Bears in 24 years and the second in program-history.
Prior to stepping into the coaching profession, Hansen Parker was a four-year letterwinner at Iowa from 2008-12, a career that produced two All-Big Ten selections, three Academic All-Big Ten honors and two Big Ten Sportsmanship Awards. She was also a NACGC Scholastic All-American from 2010-12, a Dean’s List honoree from 2009-11, a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, and was a part Iowa’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee from 2009-12.
In her pre-collegiate career, Hansen Parker was a teammate with 2008 Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson at Chow’s Gymnastics, the same club that later produced Team USA members Gabby Douglas and Rachel Gowey.
Hansen Parker graduated from the University of Iowa in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication and minors in studio art and sport studies. She and her husband, Bryan, were married in 2020.
