STANFORD, Calif. — Former Cardinal gymnast Taylor Burkhart returns to The Farm to join the Stanford men's gymnastics coaching staff, as announced by head coach Thom Glielmi on Wednesday afternoon.
Competing for Stanford from 2022-25, Burkhart joins the program as an assistant coach ahead of the 2027 campaign.
"I'm incredibly excited and honored to step into this new role with the program that's already given me so much as an athlete," said Burkhart. "I'm especially grateful to Thom Glielmi and the rest of the coaching staff for their support and faith in me. I've learned so many valuable life lessons here as a student-athlete, and now, as a coach, I want to pass those same lessons on while continuing to uphold the standard of excellence and contribute to a team culture our athletes can be proud of. GO STANFORD!"
Burkhart helped guide Stanford to three NCAA team championships during his four years as an athlete, including a national title in 2025 that extended the Cardinal's streak to five consecutive championships, matching the longest streak in NCAA history. The Cardinal also won three MPSF championships during his career.
Individually, Burkhart was a five-time NCAA All-American, earning honors on floor exercise, high bar, pommel horse and vault throughout his career. His standout 2025 campaign saw him named the College Gymnastics Association (CGA) MVP of the Year while also being selected as a finalist for the Nissen-Emery Award, the most prestigious honor in collegiate gymnastics.
Burkhart was also the 2025 MPSF Gymnast of the Year and conference champion on floor exercise, earning four All-MPSF honors during his career. He was named CGA Gymnast of the Week three times and MPSF Gymnast of the Week four times, including three CGA and three MPSF weekly honors during his senior season.
On the international level, Burkhart is a multiple-time U.S. Senior National Team member. He won the U.S. high bar title in 2025 and served as an alternate for Team USA at the 2025 World Championships. He has represented the United States at three Senior Pan American Championships, helping Team USA win team gold in 2022 and 2025 and bronze in 2026.
Stanford added its latest installment to college men's gymnastics' modern dynasty by winning the 2026 NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships, securing its sixth national title in the last seven NCAA Championships.