University of Minnesota Athletics
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Amanda Gaines Named Spirit Squad Program Director/Head Coach
4/14/2025 7:57:00 AM | Athletics, Spirit Squad
University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics has announced that Amanda Gaines has been named the spirit squad program director/head coach. Gaines will lead all spirit squad teams including cheer, hockey cheer, dance and mascot after serving as Minnesota's dance team head coach the past four years. She will continue to serve as the head coach of the Minnesota dance team.
"I am thrilled for Amanda to lead our spirit squad programs," said Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. "Our spirit squads are such an integral part of Gopher Athletics and our game day experience, and I am excited to see their continued growth under Amanda's leadership.
"Amanda is a proud alum who has elevated our dance programs to the best in the nation and has coached them to numerous national championships and top finishes. She will also lead them later this month as our dance team represents the US National Team at the Cheer Union World Championships."
Gaines has been a part of the Gopher dance team for 19 years, first as an athlete from 2005-2009, then as an assistant coach from 2009-13 and then as the head coach. Gaines became the head coach in April 2013 and held that role until March 2017. After taking some time off, she resumed that role in 2020. During her tenure, Gaines helped the Gophers to a national championship as an athlete (2006) eight national championships (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) as an assistant coach and 10 titles as the head coach in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2023, 2024 and 2025. In all, Minnesota has won 23 dance national titles with Gaines a part of 20 of them. Under her watch, the Gophers will also represent Team USA for the 2025 International Cheer and Dance Competition. It will be the third time that Minnesota will represent the US National Team, having also done so in 2010 and 2014, under Gaines' leadership.
"This is an absolute dream come true to be able to lead the spirit squad," Gaines said. "This program has had a dominant presence in my day to day for over half my life, so to step into this new role is an honor. I'm excited to continue to play a part in continuing the level of excellence that fans have come to expect from these athletes and to support our incredible spirit squad staff in maintaining the strong traditions and legacy of our program."
Gaines has 15 years of coaching experience, with a focus on athlete development at a high level and a great record of competitive and academic success. She also has 14 years of experience in communications, operations and project management with Target Corporation.
Gaines graduated from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing.
Championship Titles With Gaines
Athlete
2006
Assistant Coach
2010 - Jazz & Pom
2011 - Jazz & Pom
2012 - Jazz & Pom
2013 - Jazz & Pom
Head Coach
2014 - Jazz & Pom
2015 - Pom
2016 - Pom
2017 - Jazz & Pom
2023 - Jazz & Pom
2024 - Pom
2025 - Pom
"I am thrilled for Amanda to lead our spirit squad programs," said Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. "Our spirit squads are such an integral part of Gopher Athletics and our game day experience, and I am excited to see their continued growth under Amanda's leadership.
"Amanda is a proud alum who has elevated our dance programs to the best in the nation and has coached them to numerous national championships and top finishes. She will also lead them later this month as our dance team represents the US National Team at the Cheer Union World Championships."
Gaines has been a part of the Gopher dance team for 19 years, first as an athlete from 2005-2009, then as an assistant coach from 2009-13 and then as the head coach. Gaines became the head coach in April 2013 and held that role until March 2017. After taking some time off, she resumed that role in 2020. During her tenure, Gaines helped the Gophers to a national championship as an athlete (2006) eight national championships (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) as an assistant coach and 10 titles as the head coach in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2023, 2024 and 2025. In all, Minnesota has won 23 dance national titles with Gaines a part of 20 of them. Under her watch, the Gophers will also represent Team USA for the 2025 International Cheer and Dance Competition. It will be the third time that Minnesota will represent the US National Team, having also done so in 2010 and 2014, under Gaines' leadership.
"This is an absolute dream come true to be able to lead the spirit squad," Gaines said. "This program has had a dominant presence in my day to day for over half my life, so to step into this new role is an honor. I'm excited to continue to play a part in continuing the level of excellence that fans have come to expect from these athletes and to support our incredible spirit squad staff in maintaining the strong traditions and legacy of our program."
Gaines has 15 years of coaching experience, with a focus on athlete development at a high level and a great record of competitive and academic success. She also has 14 years of experience in communications, operations and project management with Target Corporation.
Gaines graduated from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing.
Championship Titles With Gaines
Athlete
2006
Assistant Coach
2010 - Jazz & Pom
2011 - Jazz & Pom
2012 - Jazz & Pom
2013 - Jazz & Pom
Head Coach
2014 - Jazz & Pom
2015 - Pom
2016 - Pom
2017 - Jazz & Pom
2023 - Jazz & Pom
2024 - Pom
2025 - Pom
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