Tanya Chaplin is the longtime head coach of the Oregon State gymnastics program, entering her 29th season in 2026 as one of the most accomplished and respected leaders in collegiate gymnastics. Since taking over in 1998, she has become the winningest coach in program history, surpassing 500 career head-to-head victories and guiding the Beavers to consistent national prominence. Under her leadership, Oregon State has regularly qualified for NCAA Regionals and made numerous NCAA Championship appearances, including a top-six national finish in 2019. Chaplin has also earned multiple conference and regional Coach of the Year honors, highlighted by her Pac-12 Coach of the Year recognition in 2022. Known for her innovative choreography and athlete development, she has coached numerous All-Americans and conference champions while building a strong fan following and record-setting attendance in Corvallis.
Before her coaching career, Chaplin was an elite gymnast at UCLA, where she earned six All-America honors and was twice named Pac-10 Gymnast of the Year and UCLA Athlete of the Year. She was also a member of the U.S. National Team and competed internationally, including at the 1983 World Championships and the 1984 Olympic Trials. Following her collegiate career, she transitioned into coaching, first at UCLA and then at Washington, where she helped elevate the program before taking over at Oregon State. In addition to her collegiate success, Chaplin has been actively involved in USA Gymnastics, serving in leadership and athlete representation roles. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to excellence, both in competition and in the holistic development of student-athletes.
