University of Central Michigan head gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard has been on administrative leave since Feb. 20, and new documents obtained by student newspaper Central Michigan Life via a Freedom of Information Act request may shed some light as to why.
A letter written by AD Michael Alford included in Reighard’s file indicates that the 35-year head coach was accused of directing a student-athlete on the team to lie to medical staff about her ability to compete. CM Life reports that if that allegation is true, it would represent a violation of school, conference and NCAA protocols and standards.
It’s not the first complaint Reighard has faced in his time leading the Chippewa gymnastics program. CM Life published an extensive list of complaints from student-athletes and parents, as well as four separate instances where he allegedly broke NCAA rules related to practice time.
Reighard and his wife Nancy, who has been a volunteer assistant with the program for 17 years, are both still serving suspensions pending a university investigation. In the meantime, associate head coach Christine MacDonald is leading the program.
Reighard’s contract is set to expire on April 30.
