After being named interim head coach in November, Carly Dockendorf has officially been named the head coach of the Red Rocks. Dockendorf signed a four-year contract, through 2027.
She first began as a volunteer assistant coach in 2018, and quickly took on new roles — she was named director of recruiting development in 2019, assistant coach in 2020 and associate head coach in 2022.
In her time with the Red Rocks, Dockendorf has helped lead the University of Utah gymnastics team to four consecutive Pac-12 Regular Season Championships, three straight Pac-12 Championships, three regional titles and three third-place finishes at NCAA Championships.
“We will continue building upon the foundation of excellence, and developing not only world-class gymnasts but women who will leave this program believing in themselves and ready to impact the world around them,” Dockendorf said in a press release about the announcement. “This team is full of courage, tenacity and strength, and I am truly excited to have this opportunity to work alongside them and celebrate their brilliant talent with the No. 1 fans in the country.”
Dockendorf helped coach the Red Rocks on the beam, and the team is coming off consecutive seasons as the nation’s top-ranked beam team. Since her time coaching beam, the Red Rocks have had four All-American gymnasts, as well as four gymnasts scoring a perfect 10 on beam.
“[Dockendorf] embodies all the characteristics necessary to lead one of the sport’s most storied programs, and I have no doubt that she will continue to elevate the program to new heights, producing results in competition, in the classroom and in our community that our fans and alumni can be proud of,” U Director of Athletics Mark Harlan stated in the press release. “I am excited to see Carly take the reins of this program.”
This makes Dockendorf just the third sole head coach of the Red Rocks, after Greg Marsden and Tom Farden. Farden and Megan Marsden were co-head coaches, but Dockendorf now becomes the first female sole head coach in program history.
The previous head coach, Farden, and the U agreed to part ways on Nov. 21, weeks after an independent investigation which came about because of allegations of emotional and verbal abuse from gymnasts he coached. Farden was found innocent under the investigation, but statements — including an unexpected retirement — from U gymnasts further alleging abuse followed the result. Before they agreed to part ways, the U put Farden on paid administrative leave on Nov. 13. The university’s statement at the time said the action against Farden was “not related to student-athlete welfare” and clarified Farden was being placed on paid leave for “recent conduct and actions” that “simply do not align with our values and expectations.”
The Red Rocks will open their season with the Red Rocks Preview on Dec. 15 at the Huntsman Center. They will then face the Boise State Broncos on Jan. 5 before competing in ESPN’s first-ever invitational. The ESPN Events Invitational will be held on Jan. 13 at the Maverik Center in West Valley City.
