| Yuan Xiao | |
| Coach Years1: | 2000–2005 |
| Coach Team1: | Oklahoma (assistant) |
| Coach Years2: | 2006–2021 |
| Coach Team2: | Michigan (assistant) |
| Coach Years3: | 2022–present |
| Coach Team3: | Michigan |
| Awards: |
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Yuan Xiao is a Chinese gymnastics coach, who is currently the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines men's gymnastics team and asssitant coach for the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team.[1]
Xiao began his coaching career as a coach for China men's national artistic gymnastics team, a position he held from 1994 until 1999. In 1999, he moved to Houston, Texas to coach at the Houston Gymnastics Academy.[2]
On October 19, 2000, Xiao was named a coach for the Oklahoma Sooners men's gymnastics team. While at Oklahoma, he helped lead the team to NCAA championships in 2002, 2003 and 2005, and runner-up finishes in 2001 and 2004.[3]
After five years as a coach at Oklahoma, on August 5, 2005, he was named an assistant coach for the Michigan Wolverines men's gymnastics team.[4] On April 25, 2022, Xiao was promoted to head coach, agreeing to a five-year contract through the 2027 season.[5] As head coach at Michigan, he has lead the Wolverines to three consecutive Big Ten Conference championships and three consecutive Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year awards.[6] [7]
On June 1, 2023, Xiao was named head coach for the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team at the 2023 Summer World University Games.[8] However, the event was cancelled due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[9] He served as an assistant coach for the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics.[10] [11] Team USA's won a bronze medal in the team all-around, their first in the event since 2008.[12] [13]
Xiao and his wife, Julia, a former Cirque du Soleil performer, have two daughters, Pearl and Sophia.[1]