Cheer Extreme Announces Coed Elite’s Return to Large Coed

One of the most recognizable names in All Star cheerleading is heading back to where it built its legacy.

Cheer Extreme has announced that Coed Elite will return to the Large Coed Level 6 division for the 2027 season, a move that reunites one of the sport’s most iconic teams with one of its most competitive divisions.

The announcement was made by Cheer Extreme owner Courtney Smith Pope, who confirmed she will return to head coach the team as it begins a new chapter.

Founded in 1992 by Courtney Smith, Cheer Extreme has grown into one of the most successful and recognizable brands in All Star cheerleading. The Kernersville-based program helped shape the modern All Star landscape, producing numerous World Championship teams and becoming one of the sport’s most influential programs.

For veteran cheer fans, Coed Elite’s return to Large Coed represents much more than a division change.

Representing Cheer Extreme’s flagship Kernersville location, the team became known for elite stunting, high difficulty, and a championship culture that helped define an era of the sport. Coed Elite regularly found itself competing against some of the biggest names in cheerleading, including Top Gun, Cheer Athletics, California All Stars, and Spirit of Texas.

Over time, however, the competitive landscape changed.

As Worlds divisions expanded and roster structures evolved, many programs shifted athletes into increasingly specialized divisions. Large Coed rosters became more difficult to maintain, while divisions such as Extra Small Coed and Medium Coed grew in popularity across the industry.

Cheer Extreme was no exception.

While the Coed Elite name remained active, the program spent recent seasons competing outside of Large Coed. For many athletes who grew up watching Coed Elite battle on the sport’s biggest stage, the team’s return to Large Coed feels like the revival of a historic rivalry and a return to the division that helped define the program.

Smith Pope suggested the move is also rooted in a larger philosophy.

In a social media post announcing the team, she spoke about a growing trend of athletes being challenged less rather than more.

“A profound change is underway in allstar cheerleading, where athletes are being challenged to compete below their skill level,” Smith Pope wrote.

The comments immediately sparked discussion throughout the cheer community, particularly as programs across the country continue evaluating roster construction, division strategy, and athlete development.

For decades, Cheer Extreme has built its brand around pushing athletes beyond perceived limitations. The phrase “The CEA Way” has become synonymous with difficult skills, high expectations, and championship aspirations. Returning Coed Elite to Large Coed appears to align with that philosophy.

The move also marks a notable coaching moment for Smith Pope.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential coaches in modern All Star cheerleading, Smith Pope has spent more than three decades developing athletes and helping shape the sport. Her return to a Large Coed roster places one of cheerleading’s most recognizable coaches back in one of the sport’s most visible divisions.

The challenge ahead will be significant.

Large Coed Level 6 remains one of the most popular divisions in All Star cheerleading, featuring some of the sport’s most talented athletes and historically producing some of the most memorable performances each season. Building a competitive Large Coed roster requires elite male athletes, experienced flyers, and a commitment to a year-long development process.

The effort is being led from Cheer Extreme’s original Kernersville program, the location most closely associated with Coed Elite’s history and legacy. For many longtime fans, the return to Large Coed represents more than a division change—it signals a renewed commitment to one of the most recognizable team brands in All Star cheerleading.

According to Smith Pope, six positions remain available, including four male athletes and two flyers. Athletes interested in joining Coed Elite for the 2027 season have been encouraged to reach out directly.

Whether the team ultimately finds itself in championship contention remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the return of Coed Elite to Large Coed instantly becomes one of the biggest storylines of the 2027 season.

For longtime fans, it represents the return of a familiar name to familiar territory.

For the next generation of athletes, it may be the beginning of a new era.