Abdullah-Simmons Rounds Out Williams' Staff

NORMAN -- University of Oklahoma head men's gymnastics coach Mark Williams announced the hiring of former Sooner standout Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons as an assistant coach Monday.

As a three-time NCAA team champion and an all-around champion, he will be a tremendous asset to our team.
Head Coach Mark Williams

Abdullah-Simmons rounds out Williams' staff as he joins fellow Sooner alum Steven Legendre, who was also recently hired on as an assistant. With a pair of former NCAA team and all-around champions on staff, Williams is excited about the future of the program.

“It's great to have our staff at full strength with the addition of Taqiy,” Williams said. “As a three-time NCAA team champion and an all-around champion, he will be a tremendous asset to our team.”

Abdullah-Simmons returns to OU hoping to help the program continue the championship tradition that he helped build as a student-athlete. Abdullah-Simmons led Oklahoma to three NCAA team championships during his time at Oklahoma (2005, 2006 and 2008) and also captured the 2007 NCAA All-Around title. In total, the Sooners' newest assistant won nine All-America honors as a student-athlete, and also earned a spot on the 2004 U.S. Senior Men's National Team.

“I'm excited,” Abdullah-Simmons said. “I am back where I had a lot of success as a college gymnast, and this university is amazing. I am blessed to have the opportunity to come back and keep contributing to the university in a different capacity as a coach now.”

The Sooners' newest addition also boasts a unique skill set as a performer. He spent two years working at Walt Disney World as part of the Festival of the Lion King. The Broadway style show is one of the most popular attractions at the park. More recently, Abdullah-Simmons performed with Cirque Du Soleil in Orlando, Fla., in one of the world-famous company's longest running shows.

I am blessed to have the opportunity to come back and keep contributing to the university in a different capacity as a coach now.
Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons

“We want to tap into his experiences as an entertainer with Disney and Cirque Du Soleil,” Williams said. “Many of our guys may follow his footsteps and be performers, so that is going to be great.”

Perhaps the most important trait that Abdullah-Simmons brings to the table is a knowledge of what it takes to win at the highest level.

“It is great to have that experience and know how to win,” Williams said. “Both of these guys (Abdullah-Simmons and Legendre) came up during a period when we were at the top of the NCAA with championship teams almost every other year. They have been through the same process that these guys are going through. They can give our student-athletes their experiences and guide them through a season to a championship like when they were here.”

Abdullah-Simmons graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies in 2008.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Abdullah-Simmons Rounds Out Williams' Staff

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