Palange Returns to UCLA Gymnastics Coaching Staff
June 03, 2019 | Gymnastics
Dom Palange, who was a volunteer assistant coach for UCLA Gymnastics from 2014-16, returns as the Bruins' assistant coach under head coach Chris Waller.
"I am extremely happy about Dom coming back to UCLA as an Assistant coach," said Waller. "Dom has a great eye for the sport and communicates effortlessly with student-athletes. He has an outstanding ability to not only teach new skills but also to refine gymnastics into an art. While Dom's personality appears easy-going, his competitive spirit stirs determined under his skin. Dom's primary coaching responsibilities will be vault and floor, but his coaching expertise will be felt throughout the gym."
During his previous stint at UCLA, Palange coached the Bruins on floor exercise in 2016 and on balance beam in 2014 and 2015, coaching Samantha Peszek to the NCAA beam title in 2015. He helped guide the Bruins to the 2016 Pac-12 title and the 2015 NCAA Regional title. He also coached at Waller's GymJam Academy from 2013-16.
"UCLA has always felt like home to me, and I am beyond excited to officially be back with my Bruin family," said Palange. "I'm honored to be working with such an amazing group of student-athletes, coaches and staff, and I am so excited to help bring UCLA Gymnastics into this new and exciting chapter."
The Massachusetts native began gymnastics at age 3 and trained at Sterling Academy of Gymnastics, where he became a multiple state and Region 6 floor and vault champion. At age 17, he switched to competing and coaching All Star cheerleading. After graduating from high school, he moved to Miami, Fla. to join Top Gun All Stars, where he won two World Championship titles and two third-place finishes, along with multiple national titles. Palange also coached teams to several National titles from 2008-12.
From 2009-10, Palange attempted a comeback in gymnastics, training with World Champion and Olympic medalist Danell Leyva, but officially retired from competing in 2010.
Palange joins Waller and associate head coach Kristina Comforte on the new UCLA staff.