Macie Searls, who has spent the last six years as a cheer and tumbling instructor across Texas, Arkansas, and Ohio, has been named the second head coach in TLU Acrobatics and Tumbling history, it was announced on June 26, 2025.
"We are so excited to welcome Macie Searls as our new Head Acrobatics and Tumbling Coach," said Texas Lutheran Director of Athletics Bill Miller. "She has the drive, passion, and discipline to take our Acrobatics and Tumbling program to the next level. Macie will be a tremendous asset to our university and a critical addition to our coaching staff. I am very excited for her and very excited for the future of our Acrobatics and Tumbling program."
East Texas Baptist head coach Ashton Davis-Leveille stated, "Macie was a standout athlete and a huge part of our program's success while at ETBU. She holds the program high score for Aerial Tumbling Pass, received an Open Pyramid Championship, and was a part of the first program 10.0 at the DIII Tournament in 2023. Macie led the team on and off the mat with grace and determination. We are excited to see her step into her new role and the continued growth and success she will bring to Texas Lutheran's Acrobatics and Tumbling program."
At the age of 23, Searls, a native of Nashville, Arkansas, is believed to be the youngest head coach in the sport.
"It's an honor to be chosen as the TLU Acrobatics and Tumbling head coach and I am blessed to be a part of the coaching staff at TLU," said Searls. "I am also grateful to all of my past coaches and family who have helped me grow into the coach I am today. I'm excited to be able to continue my passion and love for this sport through this program. I've watched the success of TLU Acrobatics and Tumbling over the last couple of years and I'm looking forward to continuing to grow this team as well as challenge and build the women who are a part of it both on and off the mat."
TLU President Dr. Debbie Cottrell added, "TLU is tremendously excited to have Coach Searls join our community and lead our acrobatics and tumbling team at this exciting time. With momentum building, I am confident she will bring her energy, enthusiasm, and experience to advance this team in multiple ways."
Searls, a native of Nashville, Arkansas, will complete her Master's in Exercise Physiology from Walsh University in May 2026, where she competed in Stunt as a graduate student in spring 2025. Searls is no stranger to Texas having competed in acrobatics and tumbling at East Texas Baptist while completing her undergraduate degree. Searls was a member of the 2024 Tigers squad that had the best season in program history.
