Jessa Hansen Parker, Iowa women’s gymnastics’ new assistant coach, brings a unique kind of coaching experience to the Hawkeye program.

The Des Moines, Iowa, native competed as a GymHawk under current head coach Larissa Libby from 2008-12. Hansen Parker was a four-year letter winner and a two-time All-Big Ten honoree as an athlete at Iowa. After graduating in 2012, she went on to be an assistant coach at the University of California-Berkeley for three seasons and UC-Davis for four seasons.

Now, Hansen Parker is back in Iowa City.

“[I came back to Iowa] just for my passion for the Hawkeyes and my love for the team,” Hansen Parker said. “I was in California for seven years, and you know I learned a lot and loved my experience, but I was ready to take the next step in my career.”

For Libby, tabbing Hansen Parker to be her new assistant was an easy decision.

“When it came down to it, I kept looking at the names, and there were some incredible male candidates that applied, and that I considered, but as I kept going through it, I just kept going back to Jessa, and it was just an easy choice,” Libby said. “She’s a great coach and done an excellent job at the schools that she has been at.”

Hansen Parker earned some accolades during her stint as an assistant coach in California. UC-Davis gymnasts excelled on beam under her watch, ranking 23rd nationally. Hansen Parker was also named 2019 Assistant Coach of the Year by the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

Competing under Libby is one thing, but now Hansen Parker will need to adjust to being a coworker of Libby’s, instead of an athlete.

“It’s been really exciting to see behind the scenes, and see how [Libby] runs the program,” Hansen Parker said. “It doesn’t feel like a lot has changed because she’s still in that mentor role for me, but it’s been really fun just to see the other side of things.”

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So far, Hansen Parker has been a good fit as a coach at Iowa, as she is willing to learn and respects the tight-knit culture Libby has built.

“What we needed moving forward, or what would be best for the program, would be somebody who knew everything about it,” Libby said. “We feel like we’re a little different in the approach that we have and the things that are important to the program and she knows that, and she gets it, and she’s very protective of it.”

According to Libby, Hansen Parker has already earned the trust of her fellow coaches and her athletes.

“The one thing she’s never let go of is that just authentically being yourself and making it OK to have that connection with your athletes,” Libby said. “Making them comfortable with who you are and who they are – that nobody has to change anything – I think you can do wonders with kids when they feel comfortable and connected to you.”

Eventually, Hansen Parker wants to become a head coach, but for now, she’s going to enjoy her time at the University of Iowa while she can.

“I’m not in a rush to get there,” Hansen Parker said. “My short-term goals are to learn as much as possible and to help this team as much as possible.”