Longtime LSU Gymnastics Coach D-D Breaux Featured in ESPN/SEC Network Documentary

The film "The Fighting Tiger" chronicles Breaux's early career battles for equality and late career success.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:07pm

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Longtime LSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux will be featured in an upcoming ESPN/SEC Network spotlight show that chronicles her early career battles for equality and late career success. The documentary, titled "The Fighting Tiger", will have a special premiere screening at the Maravich Center in Baton Rouge on Wednesday night, which the public is invited to attend.

Why it matters

The feature on Breaux's career highlights the challenges women's sports programs faced in the late 1970s as they fought for equal resources and recognition. Breaux's perseverance and vision helped grow the LSU gymnastics program into a national powerhouse, demonstrating the impact one coach can have in driving progress for women's athletics.

The details

When Breaux first started coaching at LSU in the late 1970s, the gymnastics team had limited resources and support. Breaux recalls having to fight for basic facilities and equipment, as administrators were reluctant to invest in the women's program. However, Breaux persisted, making "waves" and "fighting for everything that was right for everybody." Over time, she was able to secure more funding and build the program into a nationally relevant force in college gymnastics.

  • Breaux began coaching at LSU in the late 1970s.
  • The ESPN/SEC Network documentary "The Fighting Tiger" will premiere on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at the Maravich Center in Baton Rouge.

The players

D-D Breaux

Longtime head coach of the LSU gymnastics team, who built the program into a national powerhouse while fighting for equality and resources in the early years of her career.

Ernie Hill

An early supporter of Breaux and the LSU gymnastics program, who helped secure better facilities for the team when resources were limited.

Skip Bertman

The former LSU athletic director who shared Breaux's passion for excellence and supported the growth of the gymnastics program.

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What they’re saying

“We had nothing, and they wanted me to go back over to that old women's gym, which was condemned, you know.”

— D-D Breaux, Head Coach, LSU Gymnastics (wbrz.com)

“My vision from the very beginning was I wanted to create opportunities for women. I wanted equality in every aspect but fighting for Title Nine every single day. I wanted academic and athletic excellence, and I wanted relevance. I wanted the program to matter, to be relevant.”

— D-D Breaux, Head Coach, LSU Gymnastics (wbrz.com)

What’s next

The ESPN/SEC Network documentary "The Fighting Tiger" chronicling D-D Breaux's career will officially air following the special premiere screening at the Maravich Center on February 4, 2026.

The takeaway

D-D Breaux's perseverance and vision in building the LSU gymnastics program into a national powerhouse, despite facing significant challenges and lack of resources in the early years, serves as an inspiring example of the impact one coach can have in driving progress for women's athletics.