Illinois is officially back on the hunt. After eight seasons at the helm, the university has parted ways with its Illinios women’s gymnastics program’s head coach—a move that’s left plenty of people scratching their heads. Under her watch, the Illini punched their ticket to NCAA Regionals all eight years. That kind of consistency doesn’t grow on trees, but somehow, she still won’t be part of what’s next. You might ask why?

Well, it’s official! Head coach Nadalie Walsh won’t be returning once her contract wraps in August 2025. Walsh was brought on in 2017 and spent the past few years building the Illinois gymnastics program from the ground up. She led the team to eight NCAA Regional appearances (except for the 2020 season, when the postseason was canceled) and even helped them score a second-place finish at the Big Ten Championships in 2019, their best in nearly 30 years.

However, despite these milestones, the team struggled to reach the pinnacle, with their performances often falling short of championship-level success. While they showed steady improvement, Illinois never managed to clinch a major title under Walsh’s leadership, leaving some wondering if the program could have done more with the talent at hand.

The university decided to end her contract, which marks the conclusion of her successful period in charge of the team. Walsh achieved solid results, yet she paved the way for an even greater future of the team beyond statistics. But, during this season, Walsh took Illinois to both a Big Ten sixth position and the third ranking in the second round of regionals. She coached freshman standout Chloe Cho to Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Since Walsh came on board, Illinois has seen three All-Americans, four Big Ten event titles, and 23 All-Big Ten selections. But what set her apart was the way she poured into her athletes off the mat, creating a team-wide mental wellness push filled with affirmations, encouragement, and a focus on growth beyond gymnastics.

Walsh made a significant mark on Illinois gymnastics, earning the 2025 Game Changer Award for women in sports leadership, a true reflection of her transformative impact. In 2022, she was named WCGA Region 3 Co-Head Coach of the Year, guiding the team to a program-record 197.325 and a No. 19 national finish. Before becoming an Illinois coach, Walsh established her coaching skills at Utah State, Ball State, and UW-Oshkosh and led her team to a national title in 2007. Through her influence, Walsh created more than successful performances because she molded the athletes and the cultural environment of the team while developing the program’s future direction, thus establishing a permanent mark of growth, leadership, and accomplishment.

However, the coaching instability Illinois women’s gymnastics faced in previous years highlights why the transition process becomes more important.

Illinois Gymnastics is overcoming adversity in search of new leadership

The Illinois gymnastics program has always faced several challenges over the years, particularly concerning coaching-related issues.​ In 2008, Jon Valdez, a former assistant coach for the Illinois men’s gymnastics team, resigned amid a university police investigation into allegations of possible misconduct. Valdez was charged with felony unauthorized videotaping after a hidden camera was discovered in a locker room, capturing an Illinois men’s gymnast without consent. He pleaded guilty and received 24 months of probation. Despite these challenges, the program has also seen positive leadership.

Bob Starkell, who served as head coach from 1999 to 2010. The Illini reached their first NCAA Championships appearance while emerging with their first first-team All-American athlete, Melissa Fernande, under his stewardship. Sources indicated that Starkell won National Coach of the Year honors in 2009 alongside his assistant coaches, Kim Landrus and Amy Kruse, who received co-Assistant Coaches of the Year distinctions.

During the 2010-2011 season, Kim Landrus stepped up as the interim head coach of the Illinois gymnastics team. During her inaugural season as head coach, Landrus directed the team to achieve their highest ever ranking as well as securing a Big Ten Championship runner-up spot. During that season, the team both established new school records on beam apparatus and achieved their best-ever team score rankings. Now, the search for a new head coach continues in the Illinois gymnastics program as expectations grow strong for a new era of success.