Clemson hires Cal co-head coaches Justin Howell, Elisabeth Crandall-Howell

Clemson hired Cal co-head coaches Justin Howell and Elisabeth Crandall-Howell, the school announced Monday.

The Board of Trustees Compensation Committee approved the hiring Monday morning, including $225,000 salaries for both members of the husband-and-wife coaching duo that has spent the last 13 years building the Golden Bears program, culminating in a national runner-up finish in 2024.

Justin and Liz were named Co-ACC Head Coaches of the Year in Cal’s first season in the conference after winning the regular season title. The Bears finished second at the ACC Championships before the team was narrowly eliminated in the Alabama regional final. They qualified two individuals to nationals this year.

“We’ve gotten to see the program that Justin and Liz built up close during their first season in the ACC, and the consistent excellence they have achieved speaks for itself,” said Clemson Director of Athletics Graham Neff. “In addition to many competitive accomplishments, their reputation has been praised time and again in our research. We emphasized finding a coaching staff with experience in some of the biggest moments, and who could continue the trajectory of our program – we feel we have that in Justin and Liz. We are impressed with their technical ability, approach to operations, plan for development, incorporation of health, wellness and recovery, and attention to detail. We are excited to see them get to work.”

“I’d like to thank President Clements and Athletics Director Graham Neff for this unbelievable opportunity to lead the Clemson Gymnastics program,” said Howell. “The world-class resources and support for Clemson student athletes to succeed in the classroom and on the competition floor are incredible. Liz and I are excited to bring our passion, energy, and pursuit of excellence to Tiger Town. Clemson is truly a special place. Go Tigers!”

“I cannot express how excited we are to come to TigerTown,” said Crandall-Howell. “The passion and commitment to excellence that runs through Clemson was clear from the moment we arrived on campus. The abundance of resources have been carefully and meticulously curated to support the student-athletes in every pursuit – sport, academics, career and leadership development – and to utilize those skills to go out into the world as leaders. It was, however, the people that we met in Clemson that confirmed that this is the place we need to be. Justin and I believe that Clemson gymnastics can become one of the top programs in the nation, and we cannot wait to get out there and get to work!”

The duo is known for their recruiting and growing said talented recruits into NCAA stars. Time will tell if any of the current Cal roster follows their head coaches to Clemson. One of the Bears’ top all-arounders, eMjae Frazier, already entered the transfer portal in April after graduating early and is looking for a team in her final year of eligibility.