The Michigan women’s gymnastics team announced on Wednesday that coach Bev Plocki has retired after 36 years.
Since becoming head coach in 1990, Plocki brought the Wolverines to new heights. Michigan captured 26 Big Ten Championships, 26 NCAA Championship appearances and, most notably, the program’s first national championship title in 2021.
She has also coached nine gymnasts to NCAA individual national titles and 53 NCAA All-Americans. Plocki herself has earned Big Ten Coach of the Year 11 times, NCAA Regional Coach of the Year 13 times and National Coach of the Year two times.
“It’s been the journey of a lifetime, but let me be clear, I did not do this alone,” Plocki said in the announcement. “I’ve had the honor of working alongside some of the most amazing assistant coaches in the country — coaches who challenged me, inspired me and gave their all to this program.”
Taking over at the helm is former assistant coach, Maile’ana Kanewa-Hermelyn. Kanewa-Hermelyn joined the coaching staff in 2019 as a volunteer coach and became a full-time assistant in 2020. Kanewa-Hermelyn was among the coaching staff that led the Wolverines to their first national title in 2021, and was the WCGA Assistant Coach of the Year that season. In her six years with Michigan, Kanewa-Hermelyn heavily contributed to the success of the Wolverines, especially their balance beam performances.
According to Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel’s statement on Wednesday, Plocki has been mentoring and preparing Kanewa-Hermelyn for this role for some time. So while Michigan’s long-time head coach has retired, the Wolverines are in good hands with Kanewa-Hermelyn as their new but familiar leader.
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