Rhonda Faehn Steps Down

Rhonda Faehn is stepping down as Florida’s gymnastics coach after 13 seasons and back to back to back national titles.  She will assume the role of Senior Vice President of Women’s Programs for USA Gymnastics.

“I will be responsible for overseeing and managing the entire women’s program.” Faehn said. “[I’ll be] working alongside Marta Karolyi  with the National Team staff.”

Faehn revealed she’ll be overseeing and managing USA gymnastics from the “…grassroots of gymnastics, so club level and to the national team.”

Just last week the Gators edged Utah to capture Florida’s third consecutive title under Faehn’s tutelage. In her 13 year tenure at Florida Faehn led the Gators to six SEC championships (2007, 2010, 2012, 2013) and 10 Super Six NCAA Finals appearances (2004, 2006-10, 2012-15).

Faehn is happy to return to elite level competition, where she herself won national titles in the vault in 1987 and 1988. She’s grateful for the opportunity to coach the Gators that UIF Athletic Director Jeremy Foley extended to her in 2003.

“Jeremy Foley had tremendous faith in me; he gave me a chance as an assistant coach from Nebraska to come to Florida.” Faehn said. “And my time here has been a dream come true.”

Foley experienced a range of emotions upon hearing the news.

“Obviously some sadness… and it’s not so much about losing a national championship coach.” Foley said. “It’s about losing a person that we all love, we all admire, and have enjoyed working with for 13 years.”

According to Foley, Florida’s next head coach will inherit a program which is built to win.

“We will collectively get together on Monday.” Foley said. “We’ll go to work, find someone to fill some really big shoes. We’ll also find someone to come in and inherit a program, again, to say a solid foundation would be an understatement,” Foley said.

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