Our coaches
The coaches at BCE are dedicated to the success of both our teams and individual athletes. Our staff brings years of experience to the mat and is fully USASF credentialed, CPR and First Aid certified, and background checked. While we are passionate about the sport of cheerleading, our greatest passion is helping young athletes learn, grow, and succeed. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with your athlete and take that responsibility seriously, always striving to make decisions with their safety and best interests in mind.
Jen Held
DirectorJen began her cheerleading career in Pennsylvania, competing for Turners All Stars before continuing at Slippery Rock University, where she cheered for the nationally ranked all-girl program. A UCA National Champion and recipient of a full-paid bid to The Cheerleading Worlds in 2006, Jen has been an integral part of BCE since 2010, leading teams to National Championships and D2 Summit bids while managing many of the behind-the-scenes details that keep our program running smoothly. Her dedication to our athletes, families, and program has helped shape Buckeye Cheer Elite into what it is today.
Chad Roaden
DirectorWith 30 years of all-star coaching experience, Chad has dedicated his career to helping athletes grow both on and off the mat. A former Team Captain and three-time Nationals Team member at The Ohio State University, he has helped athletes and teams reach some of the sport's biggest stages, including The Cheerleading Worlds, the D1 Summit, and the D2 Summit. Now entering his seventh season with BCE, Chad's greatest passion is helping athletes discover what they're capable of and celebrating every milestone along the way.
Justin Oldham
Elite CoachJustin graduated from Ohio University, where he cheered for four years and was a member of the 2001 Nationals Team that earned a top-10 finish at NCA College Nationals. An AmeriCheer summer staff instructor and one of BCE's longest-serving coaches, Justin has been part of the Buckeye Cheer Elite family for more than two decades and has helped shape the program into what it is today. His loyalty, experience, and commitment to BCE have made him an invaluable part of our coaching staff.
Izzie Bennington
Elite Coach & Social Media MangerIzzie graduated from the University of Alabama in 2025 with a degree in Advertising. Throughout her cheer career, she cheered for Buckeye Cheer Elite, Louisiana Spirit, Midwest Cheer Elite Toledo, and her school teams throughout middle and high school before coaching at ACE of Tuscaloosa and serving on the UCA instructional staff. As a BCE alumna, she is proud to be back at her home gym helping develop the next generation of athletes.
Brandon simpuco
Elite CoachOriginally from California, Brandon has been coaching all-star cheerleading since 2001 and brings more than two decades of experience to Buckeye Cheer Elite. His career includes national championships through UCA, NCA, USA, and JAMZ, multiple Top 10 finishes at The Cheerleading Worlds, cheering at UCLA, and serving as a JAMZ staff instructor. Brandon is passionate about helping athletes build confidence, discover what they're capable of, and develop a lifelong love for the sport.
Kristin robison
BCE Prep & Tumbling Coach Kristin's cheer journey began in Central Ohio, where she competed in all-star cheer throughout middle and high school before cheering at Columbus State and competing at NCA College Nationals in Daytona. After coaching all-star cheer and teaching tumbling for five years, she spent the last several seasons as a proud cheer mom and is excited to return to the mat as part of the BCE coaching staff.
Tiffany Phillips
BCE Prep & Tumbling CoachTiff is a former Buckeye Cheer Elite athlete who has spent the past five seasons giving back to the program that helped shape her as an athlete. She is currently a student at The Ohio State University and enjoys sharing her love of cheerleading with the next generation. Known for her positive attitude and encouraging spirit, Tiff is a familiar and friendly face around the gym. She is passionate about helping athletes build confidence, develop strong fundamentals, and enjoy every step of their cheer journey.
Reagan kellog
BCE Prep & Tumbling CoachReagan is a former Buckeye Cheer Elite athlete who is passionate about helping the next generation of athletes grow and succeed. A recent graduate of Franklin University who is now pursuing her master's degree, Reagan brings a calm, patient, and encouraging approach to every practice. She especially enjoys working with younger athletes, helping them build strong fundamentals and confidence from the very beginning. Her favorite part of coaching is building relationships with her athletes and watching them develop confidence in their skills both on and off the mat.