Left, assistant coach Nicole Curler, assistant coach Ashley Noll, and interim head coach Mike Rowe smile during a senior day presentation after the meet against Bowling Green on March 5, 2017 at Jenison Field House. The Spartans defeated Bowling Green, 195.900-193.600.
The new MSU gymnastics head coach and associate head coach were announced Monday by MSU Athletic Director Mark Hollis, according to a press release. Mike Rowe will become the new head coach and Nicole Curler will become associate head coach, effective July 1.
Rowe was named interim head coach in February following former MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages' retirement. Klages retired amidst allegations she discouraged athletes from reporting sexual abuse.
Prior to becoming interim head coach, Rowe spent the last three seasons as assistant coach.
“As in all hires, doing what is in the best interest of the student-athletes is our top priority,” Hollis said in the release. “In this case, that meant listening to the student-athletes and doing what was in the best interest for the program. ... He does everything with the best interest of Spartan student-athletes in mind.”
Curler will be promoted to associate head coach from her assistant coach position of six seasons.
“The opportunity to help Mike lead this program is really exciting," Curler said in the release. "It is a great time to be a Spartan with some of the talented gymnasts we have returning plus promising student-athletes we have coming in over the next few years. I know this program is going to continue to improve and I’m really excited to be a part of that.”
Both Rowe and Curler are MSU alumni. Rowe returned to MSU in 2014 after serving as gymnastics assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh. Since 2014, Rowe has mentored seven All-Big Ten award honorees and coached three Big Ten Co-Champions.
Rowe also helped coach Lisa Burt to the NCAA National Championships, marking MSU's first appearance since 2010.
During Curler's time as assistant coach, MSU qualified for NCAA Regionals four times. Curler also coached 10 All-Big Ten gymnasts.
Curler herself was the first MSU gymnast to be a four-time All-Big Ten honoree and ranks second all-time in program history.
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