Hansen Named Interim Head Coach at Minnesota

Oct 6, 2014 by Keri Monstrola

The University of Minnesota named Jenny Hansen as the 2014-2015 Interim Gymnastics Coach. The University interviewed 19 candidates which was then narrowed down to three candidates. All three candidates turned down the position. This coaching change follows the stepping down of Meg Stephenson.

Image Via Minnesota Gymnastics Twitter

Oct. 6, 2014

âÃ‚Â€Ã‚Â‹MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota Athletics Director Norwood Teague announced today that former Golden Gophers gymnast and associate head coach Jenny Hansen has been named interim head coach for the women’s gymnastics team and will lead the program for the 2014-15 season.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to lead this program as it is one I have great passion for as both an alumna and member of the coaching staff," said Hansen. "I'm looking forward to a season of continued success."

Hansen has served as a full-time coach for the Maroon and Gold since 2007. In her time with the Gophers, the squad has been selected for an NCAA Regional each season. More recently, the team placed eighth in the 2013 NCAA Championship meet, its highest finish in the history of the program. The program also won back-to-back Big Ten regular-season championships in 2013 and 2014.

Hansen was named 2013 National Assistant Coach of the Year and was North Central Regional Assistant Coach of the Year in both 2012 and 2013. In her tenure, she has helped coach six individual All-Americans, six regional champions and three Big Ten Conference champions.

As associate head coach, Hansen focused on the Gophers’ vaulting while assisting with beam and floor routines. She also has served as a liaison for the booster club and Gopher gymnastics alumnae.

Hansen was an assistant coach at the University of Illinois for the 2005-06 season where she focused her energy on floor exercise, music selection and choreography. She played an essential role in on-campus recruiting and alumni relations. Illinois placed fourth at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships and finished the season with a No. 25 national ranking.

As a gymnast at the University of Minnesota, Hansen excelled on and off the competition floor. Hansen was a four-year letter winner, earned Academic All-Big Ten laurels three times and was team captain during her senior season. At the end of her career, she ranked third on Minnesota's all-time top performers list on the balance beam (9.925), was tied for seventh on the floor exercise list (9.925), and was tied for ninth all-time on the vault (9.850).

Hansen graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Master’s of Education Degree in Sport Management.

Via Minnesota press release