Two weeks ago Morgan State University announced Agina Simpkins as its new Head Acrobatics & Tumbling Coach, and fans everywhere are still cheering. The first Division I HBCU to ever offer acrobatics and tumbling, Morgan State’s program had already garnered national attention for its strength, stunts and unshakable team spirit. Now with this new hire they are starting the year that much stronger, securing their spot in history.

Even before their “two-foot split with the straddle” routine went viral back in February, the Morgan State squad was legendary. Competing in their inaugural season during the 2024–2025 academic year, their roster boasted a team of over 30 jaw-droppingly talented athletes and a fan base that couldn't stop following.

This month they boast a brand new head coach – or, as the team introduced her on Instagram, “the mastermind behind the mat.”

The second head coach ever in Morgan State’s Acrobatics & Tumbling program history, Agina Simpkins brings her own star power alongside a history of coaching and officiating. Hailing from the University of Georgia where she became a decorated gymnast (scoring a perfect 10 on vault during the 1993 NCAA Super Six Finals), a two-time individual national champion in USCA Cheerleading and a seven-time U.S. National Team member, Simpkins went on to coach and officiate professionally for over 25 years.

“We’re excited to welcome Coach Simpkins to the Morgan family,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dena Freeman-Patton when the hire was announced. “Agina brings not only the competition experience, but also a background in judging the sport as well, that our young ladies will benefit from immediately. I look forward to the continued growth of our Acrobatics and Tumbling program under her leadership.”

“It is an incredible honor to join Morgan State University and lead this Acrobatics & Tumbling program,” returned Simpkins in the same press release. “I believe this team has the talent, discipline, and spirit to be among the best in the nation.”

What does her team have to say about the upcoming season?

Rayla Buckner (sophomore): “This is very new. We are the first D1 HBCU team to have acrobatics and tumbling team. Last year was our season and I’m so happy the program has continued to grow.”

Lauren Perkins (freshman): “It makes me feel really good, because I didn’t think that [was possible] coming to this sport. I never did it growing up.”

“It [acrobatics and tumbling] is still a predominantly white sport,” adds Buckner on CBS News, “as is gymnastics and cheer. For us to be able to do that skill – we didn’t think we were going to get the recognition for real.”

They have it - for real.

After their routine went viral on social media, news outlets like ESPN, CBS and more shared the team’s story, spotlighting the program for millions of aspiring tumblers and high school teams. Indeed, Morgan State’s rise as a new program reportedly led to an increase in NCAA acrobatics and tumbling sponsorship from 27 schools in the 2020-2021 academic year to over 40 in 2023-2024.

What’s next for this powerhouse team with a new and championship-wielding coach at the helm? A glimpse of their upcoming season can be found here and fan-favorite moves are first seen here.

Any hints as to their next viral move?

“It may be something else [we have] up our sleeve for next time,” discloses Perkins with a smile, “because my flyer is pretty good.”

We have no doubt. And any team that can hold its members up in overhead handstands as they drop to their knees and slide into a split is a team we can’t wait to watch.

Offering us a new definition of stronger together, the team at Morgan State is leading by example and showing rising athletes what unshakable support means.