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PROVO — The most successful program in the BYU athletic department has a new coach. Well, two of them, in fact.
Former BYU dancers Stacy Bills and Morgan St. Pierre have been named co-head coaches of the 19-time national champion Cougarettes, athletic director Tom Holmoe announced Tuesday afternoon.
The duo replaces longtime coach Jodi Maxfield, who retired after 30 years with the program.
“Stacy and Morgan bring a wealth of dance, teaching and choreography experience to the Cougarettes,” Holmoe said in a prepared statement. “We believe they will continue the success of the program with their own flare and unique abilities. As former Cougarette captains, their passion for the program will certainly be seen and felt in future team performances.”
A Utah County native, Bills was a two-time captain of the Cougarettes in college and went on to a lengthy career as a professional dancer, including a spot in the top 20 on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” and with the local Odyssey Dance Theatre. The 2003 Miss Utah has directed the nationally renowned Center Stage Performing Arts studio in Orem, among other jobs, and was a nominee for national choreographer of the year in 2013 and 2019.
Bills and her husband KC Bills, a former BYU safety, are the parents of five children.
“I’m thrilled to be able to return to the university that I’ve always loved and the Cougarette program that has given me so much,” Bills said in a statement. “It’s an unbelievable opportunity to help these incredible dancers perform at the highest level and represent BYU.”
A native of Cottonwood Heights, St. Pierre was a four-time member of the Cougarettes in college, and also performed with the group during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
St. Pierre has spent nearly 20 years at studios in four states, including two seasons as an assistant coach under Maxfield and as the head coach of the Bingham High drill team, where she led the Minerettes to five state championships in seven years.
St. Pierre and her husband Steve, the current BYU rugby head coach, are the parents of three children.
“I’m overwhelmed and grateful to Tom Holmoe and Liz Darger for trusting Stacy and me with this legendary program,” she said. “We understand the Cougarette legacy and can’t wait to help shape the future.”
