Texas Woman’s University Names Leslie Allen as New STUNT Head Coach
A highly decorated coach with a proven track record of success, Leslie Allen will lead the Pioneers’ rapidly growing STUNT program.
DENTON, Texas – The Texas Woman’s University (TWU) Athletic Department announced on July 7, 2025, the appointment of Leslie Allen, the 2019 National Coach of the Year, as the new head coach of the Pioneers’ STUNT program. Allen brings 25 years of coaching experience to TWU, poised to build upon the program’s burgeoning success.
A Return to Texas for a Proven Leader
“I’m excited to join the amazing group of coaches and athletes that make up TWU,” Allen stated. “Relocation to Texas is actually coming home, as I was born in Texas. I’m looking to continue the great work that has been done in STUNT at TWU and to continue to expand the opportunities for women in sports throughout the sport of STUNT.”
Allen’s extensive resume includes experience at the collegiate, high school, and junior high levels. She arrives at TWU with three high school National Championships and eight UCA State Championships to her name. At the collegiate level, she secured a National title with Vanguard University in 2021 at the Division III level, before the program moved to Division II in 2025.
Building on a Foundation of Growth
“We are thrilled to welcome Leslie Allen to our Pioneer Athletic Department,” said Executive Director of Athletics Sandee Mott. “With a proven record of success and a deep commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the mat, Coach Allen brings the experience, leadership, and vision that will elevate our program to the next level. We are confident that she will build on the foundation of our young program and inspire our athletes to reach their full potential.”
Most recently, Allen led Vanguard University to a fourth-place national finish in the 2025 season, marking her seventh National appearance in the last eight seasons. She spearheaded the launch of the STUNT program at Vanguard in Spring 2017, with the team beginning competition in 2018 and achieving an eighth-place national ranking. In 2019, the team secured its first berth in the STUNT Division II/III National Championships, finishing fourth overall.
The Rise of STUNT and TWU’s Commitment
Mott highlighted the significant growth of STUNT nationally, within Texas, and specifically at TWU. “We added this program four years ago as a competitive sports team, and since then, it has become an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women, a Lone Star Conference championship sport, and could receive NCAA championship status very soon,” she explained. “It’s a dynamic sport and these talented student-athletes bring so much to our department. We are excited for the future.”
Allen’s coaching career began at Lutheran High School of Orange County (Calif.), where she served as head cheer coach from 2000 to 2012, also acting as a Spirit leader for seven years. During her tenure, over 75% of her senior cheerleaders continued their athletic careers at the collegiate level, with three earning scholarships to the University of Oregon. She later coached at Cypress High School in California and Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas, leading the Tigers to an undefeated season and a No. 6 national ranking in Division II in 2017.
Throughout her career, Allen has coached 26 STUNT All-Americans, with 18 of her athletes earning Academic Honor Roll recognition in 2024.
Succession and Gratitude
A graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor of Education degree, Allen is the second head coach in TWU STUNT program history, succeeding Jasmine Owens. Owens, who launched the program in 2022, recently guided the Pioneers to a program-best 14-win season and their second consecutive Lone Star Conference Tournament appearance.
Mott expressed deep gratitude for Owens’ contributions. “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Coach Jasmine Owens for the incredible work she has done in building our STUNT program from the ground up,” Mott added. “Over the past four years, Coach Owens laid a strong foundation, instilled a competitive spirit, and was instrumental in helping the sport grow in the state of Texas. We are thankful for her dedication, leadership, and the lasting impact she has made on our department and the Texas Woman’s community.”
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