For weeks, Penn State men's gymnastics coach Randy Jepson has seen his team members become believers in themselves and know that they can compete with any other team in the country.

But before the Nittany Lions became believers in themselves, they had to believe in their coaching staff, especially Jepson.

In his 12th season at the helm of the Lions, Jepson has led the the Penn State team to their first Big Ten Championship ever and their first undefeated season since 1987.

Jepson also recorded his 200th career victory on Feb. 22 against Ohio State and earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors for the first time this past weekend.

The individual accolades achieved by Jepson this season are not that important to him.

He thinks more about the teams he has coached and the hard work that they have all put in year after year.

"I don't even look at the numbers," Jepson said.

"I am more concerned about the performance of the team and seeing that the guys get everything they can out of their experience here."

For years, Jepson and his staff have developed walk-on athletes into elite gymnasts.

Senior Kevin Donohue was a walk-on in 2000 and over the years, with the help of Jepson and his staff, has become one of the top gymnasts in the country.

He is now ranked sixth in the nation in the all-around.

"It is extremely satisfying as a coach when you take a raw product and you and your staff members get them to a level that they never dreamed of," Jepson said.

Jepson also attributes the success of the Lions to the dedication given to the team by assistant coaches Slava Boiko and Rob Saliski day after day.

"Slava is one of the best coaches in the world and the great thing about him is that he wants the guys to get better," Jepson said.

"He loves gymnastics and works so hard and his rewards seem to be very little sometimes for all that he has done for these guys."

Freshman Chad Buczek said that Jepson and the coaching staff at Penn State is one of the reasons that he came here to compete for the Lions.

Before coming to Penn State, Buczek had more of a self-coaching style in gymnastics, but once he arrived he received more in-depth coaching.

"Slava is a world-class coach and I have learned so much in a year," Buczek said.

"In one year I have gone from a junior level to an elite, collegiate level in gymnastics."

In his 18 years at Penn State as both assistant and head coach, Jepson has many memories, from beating No. 2 Nebraska in 1985 to winning the 2000 NCAA Championship.

However, he said he enjoys watching the guys come in and grow as athletes and people.

His team agrees.

"This is like our family away from home," sophomore Ed Seward said. "Besides gymnastics, [Jepson] cares that we become well-balanced individuals and excel academically."

Donohue, who was only recruited by Air Force and Penn State as a senior in high school, said that the one thing that sticks out in his mind about Jepson is that he is a classy guy who handles himself well.

"He is a dedicated coach that will come into the gym anytime to help you out," Donohue said.

"He is not only highly respected in gymnastics, but respectful."