Iowa women’s gymnastics coach Larissa Libby has resigned, the athletics department said Monday in a news release, more than a month after being placed on paid administrative leave.
The university hired the Boston-based Education and Sports Law Group to conduct an independent review of the program in March after “members of the team and staff brought forward concerns regarding the head coach, related to the environment within the program.” The review has been completed, an Iowa Athletics spokesman confirmed to The Gazette.
Libby said in a statement released by the athletics department that her time at Iowa was a “tremendous journey.”
“I am very proud of all of our accomplishments both in the classroom and in the competitive arena,” Libby said. “I am grateful for the amazing Iowa community and the many people who dedicated themselves to supporting the team.”
Libby has been at Iowa since 2000, including as head coach since 2005. The three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year helped the Hawkeyes reach NCAA Regionals — either as a team or individually — in 24 consecutive seasons. She also led the program to its first Big Ten regular-season title in 2021.
Libby received a base salary of $173,349 and total income (including bonuses) of $206,900 in the 2022-23 fiscal year, according to the state salary book.
Her resignation was effective May 10. Jessa Hansen Parker, an assistant coach on Libby’s staff and a former Hawkeye gymnast, will serve as the interim head coach while Iowa Athletics completes a national search.
It will be Beth Goetz’s first head coaching hire since being named Iowa’s permanent athletics director in January.
www.thegazette.com
The university hired the Boston-based Education and Sports Law Group to conduct an independent review of the program in March after “members of the team and staff brought forward concerns regarding the head coach, related to the environment within the program.” The review has been completed, an Iowa Athletics spokesman confirmed to The Gazette.
Libby said in a statement released by the athletics department that her time at Iowa was a “tremendous journey.”
“I am very proud of all of our accomplishments both in the classroom and in the competitive arena,” Libby said. “I am grateful for the amazing Iowa community and the many people who dedicated themselves to supporting the team.”
Libby has been at Iowa since 2000, including as head coach since 2005. The three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year helped the Hawkeyes reach NCAA Regionals — either as a team or individually — in 24 consecutive seasons. She also led the program to its first Big Ten regular-season title in 2021.
Libby received a base salary of $173,349 and total income (including bonuses) of $206,900 in the 2022-23 fiscal year, according to the state salary book.
Her resignation was effective May 10. Jessa Hansen Parker, an assistant coach on Libby’s staff and a former Hawkeye gymnast, will serve as the interim head coach while Iowa Athletics completes a national search.
It will be Beth Goetz’s first head coaching hire since being named Iowa’s permanent athletics director in January.
Iowa gymnastics coach Larissa Libby resigns after program review
Iowa women’s gymnastics coach Larissa Libby has resigned, the athletic department said Monday in a news release, more than a month after being placed on paid administrative leave.
www.thegazette.com
