Maggie Haney suspended for 8 years by USA Gymnastics

USA Gymnastics suspended Olympic and national team coach Maggie Haney for eight years on Wednesday, concluding a four-year long saga of complaints, investigations, and hearings.

Haney was suspended for verbal and emotional abuse, ultimately failing “to provide a safe, positive and healthy environment with a culture of trust and empowerment,” according to the OC Register.

In addition, the hearing panel says Haney “engaged in severe aggressive behavior toward a minor that included teasing and ridiculing that was intended to control and diminish another person.”

Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez and World champion Riley McCusker were among the dozen or so athletes who reported Haney, with both contributing testimonials during hearings over the last two months.

Hernandez was the first to file complaint against her coach shortly after returning from the Rio Olympics in 2016. Both athletes have since left MG Elite, where Haney coached, with Hernandez training at Gym-Max in California and McCusker training alongside National Team teammate Jade Carey at Arizona Sunrays.

Haney has been stripped of her coaching privileges and is prohibited from contacting any of the claimants during her suspension. She cannot attend any USA Gymnastics events unless she is accompanying her daughter, who is also a gymnast. After eight years (2028) , she can apply for reinstatement. If reinstated, she will be placed on probation for the first two years.

“The ruling is regrettable but in no way surprising considering the heavy handed nature of the investigative and hearing process,” said Haney’s attorney, Russell Prince. “There is no fundamental fairness to the manner in which these matters are resolved. Clearly, I would anticipate an arbitration.”

The up-and-coming coaching star had the support of several college gymnasts, fellow U.S. National Team coaches, and some MG Elite athletes and their parents.

Those supporters maintain Haney is tough and demanding but not abusive, and although her coaching methods may no longer be acceptable, it is said they don’t believe that her behavior warranted a suspension.

Haney has yet to comment on the ruling.

For more details on the case, ruling, and complaints, click here.