Staff
The Minnesota Cheer Staff is comprised of some of the best coaches from across the country. Meet some of the coaches that you will get the opportunity to work with throughout our camps and clinics.
Dan Weaver
Cheer Team Coach
Coach Weaver is entering his sixth season as the Cheer Coach with the Golden Gophers. He comes to the University of Minnesota after helping build the program at Providence College (R.I.) into a nationally competitive program and one of the top spirit programs in the BIG EAST. As an athlete, he won back-to-back UCA College National Championships at the University of Delaware in 2014 and 2015.
Abby DeThorne
Assistant Cheer Team Coach
Coach DeThorne enters her seventh season on the Minnesota Cheer Staff. Prior to joining the staff, she was a four-year member of the University of Minnesota Cheer team and two-year captain. Coach D is also the Varsity Spirit State Director for Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Iowa. She oversees the UCA, NCA, and V!ROC brands in her State Director role.
Matt Reiser
Assistant Cheer Team Coach
Coach Reiser embarks on his ninth season with the Golden Gophers. After spending four years as a student-athlete on the Coed team, he has stayed with the program in an assistant coaching role since his time as athlete concluded. Coach Reiser specializes in coed cheerleading and all things Minnesota gameday.
Tanner Waters
Assistant Cheer Team Coach
Coach Waters joined the Golden Gopher staff in 2024. After a successful athletic career at University of Central Florida winning two UCA National Championships, the Orlando native has moved north and found his home in Minneapolis. Coach Waters specializes in elite coed building skills.