Molly Hanley Named Gardner-Webb Acrobatics and Tumbling Inaugural Coach
May 20, 2026 | General
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Vice President for Athletics and Athletics Director Brendan Fahey has announced the hiring of the first coach of the Gardner-Webb acrobatics and tumbling team. Molly Hanley, a standout collegiate athlete and the head coach at King University in Bristol, Tenn., will build the University's new program.
"This is an exciting day for our athletic department as we announce our inaugural head acrobatics and tumbling coach," said Fahey. "I am eager to welcome Molly to the Runnin' Bulldogs family. Coach Hanley understands the sport at a high level and will also embrace our institution's values and vision for excellence."
Prior to arriving in Boiling Springs, Hanley spent two years as Head Coach of Acrobatics & Tumbling, Cheer, and Dance at King University. There, she directed three collegiate programs, managing recruiting, compliance, travel logistics, budgets, fundraising, and event operations. She successfully hosted the 2024 Conference Carolinas Championship while also leading her team to a conference finals championship after finishing sixth in the league standings.
The Tornado finished sixth in the conference standings, having their season come to an end in a conference quarterfinal at third seed Coker University. In the meet, King scored the fourth perfect 10.00 score in program history and third in the open pyramid. King had five events qualify for the Conference Carolinas Event Finals as the duo pass scored an 8.75 to take the league title.
Hanley coached three student-athletes to Conference Carolinas All-Conference honors as well as seven who were named to the Conference Carolinas All-Academic Team, including a Conference Carolinas Scholar Athlete of the Year.
"I am incredibly grateful to President Nate Evans, Athletic Director Brendan Fahey, and everyone at Gardner-Webb University for trusting me to lead this program," said Hanley. "From the moment I stepped on campus, the sense of community, enthusiasm surrounding a new program, and genuine care for people was evident."
Hanley was also a standout athlete on the mats at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., where she was a two-time first team All-Conference Carolinas performer with the Crusaders, while also being a member of the inaugural team. In addition to the individual honors, Hanley qualified for the conference championships in the event finals in both the open toss and trio pass during her time at The Abbey.
She was a four-year captain while winning the Conference Carolinas championship in 2022 for the 450 salto toss, qualifying for the NCATA National Championships. Hanley was twice named first team All-Conference Carolinas and was a three-time member of the Belmont Abbey dean's list.
Hanley competed in artistic gymnastics prior to pursuing an acrobatics & tumbling career in college, and is a level two coach, having served as a coach at private gym near her hometown in Tampa, Fla.
"Acrobatics & Tumbling has had such a profound impact on my life, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to build something meaningful for our future student-athletes," added Hanley. "I look forward to developing these young women as athletes and as people while leading a program rooted in purpose, growth, and opportunity."
Hanley earned her Bachelor of Arts in sport management with a minor in psychology from Belmont Abbey, where she was an active member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
"Hanley's passion for developing student-athletes, building a strong team culture, and establishing a championship foundation makes her the perfect person to lead this program from day one," added Fahey.
