University of Minnesota Athletics
Gaines Named NDCA's College Coach of the Year
5/20/2025 8:00:00 AM | Spirit Squad
University of Minnesota spirit squad program director and dance head coach Amanda Gaines has been named the National Dance Coaches Association College Coach of the Year, the organization announced Friday. Gaines, who has led the Minnesota dance team for 9 years, was hired as the overall spirit squad program director last month. It is Gaines first NDCA Coach of the Year honor of her career.
NDCA awards three Coach of the Year honors: one high school, one college and one all star coach each year. To be considered for an award, nominees must be a member of the NDCA and have worked in the profession for at least five years.
This past season, Gaines led the Golden Gophers to their 23rd national title and third straight in the Pom division. They also took second in Jazz for the second straight year and most recently won a national championship in Jazz in 2023. Minnesota's 23 titles are the most in the nation since 2003.
In addition, the Gophers also represented Team USA at the 2025 International Cheer and Dance competition, where the team took home gold and silver medals in Pom and Jazz. The 2025 competition marked the third time Minnesota represented the US National Team, as it also did in 2010 and 2014. With the gold medal in 2025, it was the fourth time the Gophers have won gold and the third time they have come home with a silver medal.
Gaines has been a staple with the Gopher dance team, first as an athlete from 2005-09, then as an assistant coach from 2009-13 and then as head coach. During her tenure, Gaines helped the Gophers to a national championship as an athlete (2006) eight national championships (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) as an assistant coach and 10 titles as the head coach in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Of the 23 national titles, Gaines was a part of 20 of them.
NDCA awards three Coach of the Year honors: one high school, one college and one all star coach each year. To be considered for an award, nominees must be a member of the NDCA and have worked in the profession for at least five years.
This past season, Gaines led the Golden Gophers to their 23rd national title and third straight in the Pom division. They also took second in Jazz for the second straight year and most recently won a national championship in Jazz in 2023. Minnesota's 23 titles are the most in the nation since 2003.
In addition, the Gophers also represented Team USA at the 2025 International Cheer and Dance competition, where the team took home gold and silver medals in Pom and Jazz. The 2025 competition marked the third time Minnesota represented the US National Team, as it also did in 2010 and 2014. With the gold medal in 2025, it was the fourth time the Gophers have won gold and the third time they have come home with a silver medal.
Gaines has been a staple with the Gopher dance team, first as an athlete from 2005-09, then as an assistant coach from 2009-13 and then as head coach. During her tenure, Gaines helped the Gophers to a national championship as an athlete (2006) eight national championships (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) as an assistant coach and 10 titles as the head coach in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Of the 23 national titles, Gaines was a part of 20 of them.
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