Former Gator Gymnastics Head Coach Rhonda Faehn No Longer with USA Gymnastics

Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse scandal of underage gymnasts has revealed more of what goes on behind the curtains of the USA Gymnastics team. In the fallout of this tragedy, the latest news has now hit a former Gator, with past Gator gymnastics head coach Rhonda Faehn being the latest to feel the aftershocks. Faehn was the head of the USA women’s gymnastics program who was reportedly let go from the organization amidst Nassar’s scandal.

President and CEO of the USA Gymnastics Kerry Perry made an announcement on the matter. Stating that she will not discuss the matter further in regard to whether Faehn resigned or was fired.

Statement on behalf of Kerry Perry, President and CEO of USA Gymnastics, regarding Rhonda Faehn. https://t.co/rkZQeXChTN

— Marco Martinez (@MarcoJMartinez_) May 18, 2018

In April 2015, Faehn became senior vice president of the women’s program. Faehn, a former US national gymnast in the 1980s and head coach of the Florida women’s gymnastics team was a no-brainer for the US Olympic organization to hire. The job acceptance was decided after Faehn led the Florida gymnastics team to its third consecutive NCAA championship.

Other Accomplishments with the Gators

• Faehn was the head coach for 13 seasons, from 2003 to 2015
• Faehn also won four (2007, 2010, 2012 and 2013) Southeastern Conference team titles
• Registered 10 NCAA Region team titles
• 10 top-five NCAA Championship finishes
• Established the top-10 team scores in school history.

The Issue

Former MSU doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse of over 100 young girls and women is known to extend over the past 20 years. No one knows for certain if Faehn had anything to do with the cover-up of Nassar’s sexual abuses over her time as vice president, but organization leaders heard about the scandal back in 2015, the same year she was hired.

Former gymnast Aly Raisman reportedly told Faehn about the sexual abuse. Yet, she didn’t hear from Faehn nor was she contacted by the FBI for over a year later, according to Indystar.com.