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SALT LAKE CITY â Just days after he was put on administrative leave, Utah gymnastics head coach Tom Farden and the university have "mutually agreed to part ways," the university announced Tuesday night.
Farden served as head coach of the Utah gymnastics program as head coach for the last four seasons after another four seasons as co-head coach with Megan Marsden.
"The past several months have been an extremely challenging time for our gymnastics program," Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said in a statement, speaking of an outside investigation into the program after allegations of abuse. "Changes like this are never easy, and only come after extensive analysis and discussion.
"In this case, the decision provides necessary clarity and stability for our student-athletes and prevents further distraction from their upcoming season. I want to acknowledge the tremendous contributions Tom has made both as an assistant and head coach for the Red Rocks, and the significant accomplishments of the program in which he has played a key role."
"I am grateful that Carly Dockendorf has stepped in as the interim head coach of our gymnastics program, and I am confident that she will provide tremendous leadership for the student-athletes as they strive to reach their championship goals this season," Harlan said.
Farden was the subject of an outside investigation by firm Husch Blackwell after several former gymnastics and parents called into question his practices as a coach, which included verbal and emotional abuse toward some of his athletes. The investigation, which was concluded in September, found Farden did not engage in "any severe, pervasive or egregious acts."
Utah took steps following the investigation to put checks in place to ensure gymnasts were in an environment where they felt physically and emotionally safe, but Farden remained as the team's head coach.
A month after the investigation concluded, former gymnast Kara Eaker announced her retirement from the sport and withdrawal from the University of Utah. The former alternate at the 2020 Olympics said she was a victim of "verbal and emotional abuse" while a gymnast under Farden.
"As a result, my physical, mental, and emotional health has rapidly declined," Eaker wrote on Instagram. "I had been seeing a university athletics psychologist for a year and a half and I'm now seeing a new provider twice a week because of suicidal and self-harm ideation and being unable to care for myself properly."
Farden leaves the Red Rocks with a 182-48-1 overall record in eight seasons as either head coach or co-head coach. He helped lead the gymnastics program to four consecutive Pac-12 regular season championship and three consecutive Pac-12 championships.
Farden also continued the program's mark as the only gymnastics team to reach nationals every season. He continued to build a roster that could compete for a national title after being identified by Greg and Megan Marsden as the heir apparent to the program after their storied career.
"I am grateful to the University of Utah for the privilege of coaching its storied gymnastics program," Farden said in a statement. "The University of Utah has been my home for a decade, and it is difficult to say goodbye, but the time has come for me to embark on a new chapter.
"I am immensely proud of the young women who have poured their hearts and souls into Utah gymnastics during my time here and who have brought so much to this community. It has truly been an honor to coach them, and I extend my heartfelt thanks and wishes for their continued success, now and in the years to come."
