Controversy causes coaching changes at the University of Minnesota

 

University of Minnesota’s head gymnastics coach, Meg Stephenson, resigned on Thursday after a year of retaliation and sexual harassment claims. On Thursday, the University and Coach Stephenson “mutually agreed upon” the resignation after being reprimanded for violating the anti-retaliation policy more than a month ago. 

 

Stephenson is said to have retaliated against someone at the University following sexual harassment accusations made by a student athlete against her husband, Jim Stephenson. She is also said to have expressed blame, anger and mistrust toward team members shortly after the investigation started. Although the University's investigations are now closed,the Federal Office for Civil Rights (OCR) continues to investigate charges made against Jim Stephenson in the fall of 2013. 

 

The President of the University, Eric Kaler, received a letter from the OCR in April regarding the alleged sexual harassment on the team. The University already knew of the complaint “and failed to take effective steps to end the harassment and remedy its effects.” In June, Meg Stephenson received a letter from the University notifying her of the claim of “expressing overt hostility” toward someone at the University after the sexual harassment claim was made. “After careful consideration, this department felt the need for a change to women’s gymnastics for the good of the students and the program,” athletic director Norwood Teague said in a statement.

 

Stephenson’s Tenure

Stephenson and her husband joined the program in the 1990s. Jim Stephenson was named the head coach for 17 years while Meg Stephenson was hired as an assistant. The husband-wife duo were co-head coaches from 1999-2009. In the summer of 2009, Meg Stephenson took over as head coach and Jim Stephenson assumed the role as volunteer assistant due to injuries. The Gophers reached the NCAA Regionals every year since 2007 and finished in the top 10 three times at the NCAA Championships. In 2013, Stephenson was named the NCAA Regional, National and Big Ten Coach of the year. She led her team to back-to-back Big Ten Championships in 2013-2014. 

 

What is next for Minnesota Gymnastics? 

It has also been noted that senior gymnast, Kylie Schermann is no longer on the roster. It is believed that the team’s associate head coach Jenny Hansen and assistant coach Louie Johnson will continue with their assignments during the search for a new head coach.

 

The University of Minnesota has not made a statement. 

Minnesota Daily's Release
Star Tribune's Release