Patrick Whaley

East Texas Twisters

With a lifelong passion for tumbling, cheerleading, and youth development, Patrick Whaley has dedicated more than two decades to helping athletes strengthen their abilities and believe in their potential. His connection to the sport began when he started tumbling at just six years old. What began as an exciting childhood activity eventually developed into a lasting career centered on coaching, leadership, and supporting young athletes.



Patrick’s early years in tumbling gave him firsthand experience with the patience, repetition, encouragement, and discipline required to learn new skills. As he progressed, he developed a deeper appreciation for the way athletic training can shape more than physical ability. Tumbling and cheerleading can also help athletes become more confident, responsible, resilient, and comfortable working toward meaningful goals.

College Cheerleading Experience

After years of tumbling, Patrick continued his athletic journey by participating in college cheerleading for five years. This experience allowed him to refine his tumbling technique while gaining valuable knowledge in stunting, choreography, teamwork, performance preparation, and competitive athletics.

College cheerleading also taught Patrick the importance of communication and trust. Every athlete must understand their responsibilities, support their teammates, and remain focused during practices and performances. These lessons continue to influence his coaching approach today. He encourages athletes to recognize that individual improvement is important, but the ability to work as part of a team is equally valuable.

His time as a college cheerleader gave him a strong understanding of what athletes experience as they advance through increasingly challenging levels of training. Because Patrick has personally faced demanding practices, difficult skills, performance pressure, and the need to balance athletics with other responsibilities, he can relate to the challenges his students encounter.

More Than 20 Years of Coaching

With 21 years of coaching experience, Patrick has worked with athletes across different ages, experience levels, and stages of development. His extensive background allows him to recognize that every athlete learns differently. Some students may immediately approach a new skill with excitement, while others need additional time, reassurance, and carefully structured instruction before they feel comfortable.

Rather than expecting every athlete to progress at the same pace, Patrick focuses on meeting students where they are and helping them take productive steps forward. His goal is to create an environment where athletes can learn proper techniques, develop stronger fundamentals, and feel proud of their progress.

As a coach, Patrick understands that successful instruction involves more than demonstrating a skill. It requires observation, clear communication, patience, adaptability, and the ability to motivate athletes without overlooking the importance of safety. He works to break complex movements into manageable steps so students can build confidence and establish the foundation needed for continued advancement.

Coaching at His Own Gym

Today, Patrick serves as a coach at his own gym, where he has the opportunity to turn his years of athletic and coaching experience into positive training experiences for the next generation. Owning and coaching at a gym allows him to remain closely involved with athletes, families, training programs, and the overall development of the organization.

Through his work with East Texas Twisters, Patrick helps athletes explore tumbling, gymnastics, and cheerleading in an encouraging environment. Whether a student is learning an introductory movement or preparing for more advanced athletic challenges, he strives to provide the direction and support needed to help that athlete improve.

Patrick takes pride in watching students reach milestones that once seemed difficult or intimidating. A successful coaching moment may involve mastering an advanced tumbling pass, but it can also be as simple as seeing a nervous beginner complete a foundational skill with confidence. Every achievement represents persistence, instruction, and an athlete’s willingness to keep trying.

Building Confidence Through Athletics

One of the most rewarding parts of coaching for Patrick is helping young people recognize their capabilities. Athletic training gives students opportunities to set goals, respond to feedback, overcome setbacks, and experience the satisfaction of measurable progress. These lessons can remain valuable long after an athlete leaves the gym.

Patrick’s coaching philosophy emphasizes encouragement alongside accountability. Athletes need positive support, but they also benefit from learning the importance of preparation, attention, effort, and consistency. By establishing clear expectations and celebrating meaningful progress, he helps students develop habits that can benefit them in athletics, academics, and everyday life.

He also understands the importance of creating an atmosphere where athletes feel valued. Not every student will share the same goals, personality, or natural abilities. Patrick’s responsibility as a coach is to recognize each athlete as an individual and help that student find opportunities to grow.

Supporting Veterans Through Vets for Vets

Outside of the gym, Patrick is committed to supporting veterans by helping raise money for Vets for Vets. His involvement reflects his appreciation for service, sacrifice, and community responsibility. Contributing to fundraising efforts gives him another opportunity to make a positive difference beyond his work as a coach.

The values involved in supporting veterans—commitment, teamwork, respect, and service—closely align with the principles Patrick promotes in the gym. He believes strong communities are built when people take the time to encourage others, contribute to meaningful causes, and recognize those who have served.

Family Life

In addition to coaching, owning a gym, and supporting charitable efforts, Patrick is preparing for an exciting new chapter as a first-time dad. Becoming a parent is a milestone he looks forward to with tremendous excitement.

His years of working with young people have already shown him how meaningful encouragement, patience, and dependable guidance can be. As Patrick prepares for fatherhood, he is excited to bring those same qualities into his growing family while continuing to serve as a positive mentor for the athletes he coaches.

Start Your Athlete’s Journey

With a lifetime of tumbling experience, five years of college cheerleading, and 21 years of coaching, Patrick Whaley brings extensive knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every athlete he teaches. His goal is to help students improve their skills, build lasting confidence, and discover how rewarding athletic progress can be.

Give your child the opportunity to learn in a supportive and engaging environment. Visit East Texas Twisters online to explore available tumbling, gymnastics, and cheerleading programs, or contact the gym today to schedule a free trial class and begin your athlete’s journey.