Carly Dukendorf has been named the new coach of Utah’s gymnastics team, the Red Rocks. She becomes the first and only female head coach in program history after being officially hired on Thursday, December 7, 2023.
Dockendorf took over the position after Tom Varden left amid accusations of promoting a toxic culture on the programme. An independent review of the program showed that Varden instilled an “increased fear of failure” in some athletes. Dockendorf was named interim head coach of the UT gymnastics program on Nov. 12, 2023, and within a month, he was awarded a four-year contract through the 2027 season.
Duckendorf began his work at Utah State in 2018 as a volunteer and quickly rose to higher responsibilities within the program. Just one year later, before the 2019 season, she stepped up to director of recruiting development. After the season, she was named assistant coach in 2020 and promoted to assistant coach in 2022.
The Utah Red Rocks have achieved several major wins under her tutelage, including four straight Pac-12 regular season championships, three straight NCAA Regional titles, three straight third-place finishes in the NCAA Championships, and three straight Pac-12 Championships .
Under her direction, Utah’s beam team became the top-ranked beam team in the country with 49.670 national qualifying points on beam in 2023. Since taking over the apparatus, Utah has had four gymnasts earn NCAA All-America honors on beam and four Gymnasts score at least one perfect 10.
“I train people, not athletes” – Carly Dockendorf on her coaching style
The success and growth of the Red Rocks under Carly Dockendorf’s leadership is remarkable. During her first press conference as head coach at the Domke Center on the UT campus on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, she spoke about her approach as a coach.
She confirmed that she is an encouraging coach who constantly gives confidence to athletes.
“I’m a really positive and encouraging coach,” Dockendorf said. “I feel like I’m coaching people, not athletes. That’s kind of my mentality. That’s where my focus is.”
“I think part of the reason we’ve become so great in the modeling business is just instilling confidence in the women out there,” she continued.
Carly Dukendorf shared a video on social media after being named the new coach, writing:
“Follow your passion, embrace the journey, and give it your all in pursuit of your dreams. I love this team with all my heart❤️🤍Red Rock Nation Let’s Go!!!!!!”