IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa head women’s gymnastics coach Larissa Libby has signed a contract extension through June 2026. The announcement was made Wednesday by Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Gary Barta.
Libby has led the Hawkeyes to a berth in next week’s NCAA Regionals and a third-place finish at the 2022 Big Ten Championships. The team finished with a score of 196.950 – the third-best score in program history.
Senior Lauren Guerin shared the Big Ten floor title for a second consecutive season, becoming the 18th Hawkeye to win a league title. Iowa also had five All-Big Ten selections in 2022, tying a school record.
“Larissa continues to elevate the Iowa women’s gymnastics program, both in the Big Ten and nationally,” said Barta. “Larissa has dedicated her life to this program, and she embodies the Win. Graduate. Do It Right. philosophy. I am excited to see this program continue to grow under Larissa’s watch.”
Libby is in her 18th season as head coach and 22nd year overall with the program. During her tenure, the Hawkeyes have been a consistent top 25 team nationally and she has led the program to 21 consecutive NCAA Regional appearances (individually or as a team).
In 2021, Libby led the Hawkeyes to the Big Ten regular season title – the first in program history. The team’s No. 7 national ranking during the season was the highest all-time.
The three-time Big Ten and two-time NCAA Regional Coach of the Year has coached nine WGCA All-Americans and five first-team All-Americans at the NCAA Championships, including national champion Alexis Maday. Maday was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2001 and the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year in 2004.
Libby has coached 14 Big Ten champions, five NCAA Regional champions, 10 NCAA Championships qualifiers, while 54 student-athletes have earned All-Big Ten honors, including 26 first-team selections.
The Hawkeyes have also excelled in the classroom and has had a strong community presence under Libby’s watch. Forty-eight student-athletes have been Academic All-Americans.
Iowa will compete at the NCAA Raleigh Regional on March 31 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
