Kelsea Giantonio Selected to Lead Ohio State Cheer Program
6/16/2025 6:42:00 AM | Cheer
Former Ohio State assistant was head coach at Vanderbilt since 2021
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State has selected Kelsea Giantonio as the next head coach of its cheer program, spirit program director Melissa McGhee announced today. Giantonio most recently served as the head spirit coach at Vanderbilt University.
No stranger to Ohio State, Giantonio was a volunteer assistant coach for the Buckeyes from 2019 until she was hired at Vanderbilt in 2021. At Vanderbilt, Giantonio directed all aspects of the Commodores' spirit program — including cheer, dance, and mascot — and led the team through unprecedented growth and success. Under her leadership, Vanderbilt reintroduced its coed cheer program and significantly expanded its presence by increasing participation at a broader range of athletic events as well as deepening community engagement through appearances and special events. She led the Vanderbilt Dance Team to their first-ever appearance at NDA College Nationals in 2023, and just two years later, they earned a third-place national finish in the 2025 D1A Spirit Rally division. Meanwhile, the competitive mascot program was revived and surged to a second-place national finish in 2025.
Giantonio also spearheaded strategic initiatives that elevated the program's infrastructure and athlete support. She collaborated with athletic administrators to bring in new resources — including a dedicated athletic trainer, strength coach, and enhanced nutrition access — significantly improving athlete health and performance.
"We are thrilled to welcome Kelsea as the new head coach of the Ohio State cheer program," McGhee said. "Her experience in the SEC, combined with her infectious energy and deep commitment to developing student-athletes holistically, makes her an incredible fit for our program. Kelsea understands the tradition and pride that come with being part of Ohio State, and she brings a fresh enthusiasm to continue moving our legacy forward."
During her time with the Buckeyes, Giantonio contributed to a fourth-place finish at the 2020 UCA College Nationals and supported recruiting efforts by aiding in the organization and execution of clinics. She also served as an athletic academic coach in SASSO, emphasizing academic success alongside athletic achievement.
Giantonio began her coaching career at Tennessee Tech, where she played a key role in leading the coed team to a third-place finish and the mascot team to a national championship victory at the 2018 UCA College Nationals. She earned an MBA from Tennessee Tech and holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and sport management from University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she was a four-year member of the cheer team and served as captain during her junior and senior years.
