North Oconee gymnastics' Hillary Sanders named national coach of the year

Sanders' dedication and championship teams have put the North Oconee High gymnastics program in the spotlight.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Hillary Sanders, the head gymnastics coach at North Oconee High School in Georgia, has been named the National High School Federation Coach of the Year. Sanders' gymnastics program has won six consecutive state championships, and she is known for her coaching philosophy of helping athletes enjoy the sport.

Why it matters

Gymnastics is not a widely known high school sport, so Sanders' national recognition shines a light on the North Oconee program and its success. Her coaching approach of prioritizing enjoyment over pressure has helped build a strong gymnastics culture at the school.

The details

Sanders originally got into coaching gymnastics after minoring in middle school education in college. She has a background in competitive cheerleading and dancing. Since taking over the North Oconee program in 2014, Sanders has helped the team win six straight state championships and place highly at the national level.

  • Sanders was named National High School Federation Coach of the Year in April 2026.
  • The North Oconee gymnastics team has won six consecutive state championships since 2017.

The players

Hillary Sanders

The head gymnastics coach at North Oconee High School in Georgia, who was recently named the National High School Federation Coach of the Year.

North Oconee High School

The high school in Georgia where Hillary Sanders coaches the gymnastics team, which has won six consecutive state championships.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“People perform better when they enjoy what they're doing.”

— Hillary Sanders, Head Gymnastics Coach

The takeaway

Sanders' coaching philosophy of prioritizing enjoyment over pressure has helped build a successful and tight-knit gymnastics program at North Oconee High School, demonstrating how a mission-driven approach can lead to long-term excellence in high school sports.