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University of Michigan Fires Gym Coach Linked to Nassar Scandal After One Week in the Job

Rhonda Faehn lasted less than a week in her new role.

The University of Michigan has fired a gymnastics coach connected to the Larry Nassar scandal less than a week after she started the job, after her hiring provoked an outcry from students. Rhonda Faehn was never formally implicated in the Nassar scandal but has been criticized for not immediately calling police after his victims confided in her. She is believed to be the first USA Gymnastics official told of the predatory doctor’s abuse. Faehn was ousted as the head of the USA Gymnastics women’s program in May after Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman criticized her for not acting quicker on what she knew about Nassar, saying: “I don’t know what she did or didn’t do with that information, but I didn’t get contacted by the FBI for over a year, and in that time 50 to 100 gymnasts were molested.” Warde Manuel, the university’s athletics director, said Sunday night: “[Hiring Faehn] was the wrong decision, and I apologize. Our student-athletes are our highest priority and I want to do everything in my power to support them fully and put the focus back on their athletic performance.”