Iowa announced on Monday that head coach Larissa Libby, who has led the Hawkeyes for the past 20 years, resigned on Friday, May 10.
Libby was placed on leave in March, with the university citing concerns gymnasts had raised about the program’s environment under her leadership. Iowa hired an independent investigator at that time.
“My time at Iowa has been a tremendous journey,” Libby said in a statement. “Leaving behind all of the wonderful coaches in all different sports who mentored, encouraged, and inspired me throughout my years at Iowa will be the hardest part of saying goodbye. I will miss your friendship and unconditional support, but I look forward to the future and bringing all I have learned to whatever new opportunities lie ahead.”
Iowa narrowly missed regionals in 2024, finishing No. 37 with an NQS of 196.350. It had four gymnasts qualify to the Berkeley regional; Emily Erb and Bailey Libby competed on floor, Ilka Juk. on beam and Karina Muñoz in the all-around.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the Hawkeyes are expected to bring in a trio of top-rated recruits with five-star Aurélie Tran and four-stars Sydney Turner and Cassie Lee. The class ranks No. 13 in the country.
Jessa Hansen Parker, an Iowa alumna and assistant coach who has been in Iowa City for five years, will serve as interim head coach while the university begins a search for Libby’s replacement.
Article by Emily Minehart
