IOWA CITY, Iowa – Jen Llewellyn has been selected as the next head coach of the University of Iowa gymnastics program, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics, Beth Goetz announced Thursday. Llewellyn comes to the Hawkeyes after three years as head coach at the University of Washington. She will be the fifth coach in program history.

“I am thrilled and beyond grateful to be joining the Hawkeye community,” said Llewellyn. “I want to thank Beth, Marcus and the entire Iowa athletics staff for this tremendous opportunity. The tradition at Iowa is evident and I am excited to build off the strong foundation that has been laid by the past and present women who have built it. It is the best time in history to be a woman in sport and to see the commitment to women’s sports at Iowa is extremely inspiring. There are many opportunities in front of us and I am eager to be a part of the journey that is Iowa gymnastics. GO HAWKS!!”

At Washington, Llewellyn led the Huskies to three-straight NCAA second round regional appearances, including a sweet 16 appearance in 2023. In 2024, the GymDawgs recorded two team scores above a 197, the second time the squad has notched two 197+ scores in Llewellyn’s tenure at Washington. Llewellyn had student-athletes named NCAA Regional floor co-champions at the Cal Regional. She had one student-athlete qualify for NCAA National Championships in the all-around where she was a two-time All-American on bars and the all-around.

“We are truly excited to welcome Jen to the Hawkeye Family,” said Goetz. “She has a history of championship level success with a wealth of experience including 12 years as a head coach. In addition to her competitive success, she is known for her ability to create an incredible team environment where student-athletes succeed in all phases of their collegiate experience.”
Prior to Washington, Llewelyn was at Lindenwood University since the start of the program in 2012. She served as the interim head coach for the inaugural season and was named the head coach in 2013. Llewellyn led the Lions to six straight conference championships and three USAG National Championships. She was named Midwest Independent Conference (MIC) Head Coach of the Year in 2015, 2016, and 2018. Llewellyn was named the USA Gymnastics Head Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2016. She helped the Lions earn three different Gymnast of the Year awards from the MIC including the 2015 Gymnast of the Year, the 2015 Newcomer of the Year, and the 2018 Senior Athlete of the Year.

Llewellyn coached the Lions to their first-ever NCAA Regionals appearance after Lindenwood finished 2019 by winning the MIC championship and was selected to the Baton Rouge Regional as the third-ever Division II program to qualify for NCAA Regionals. The Lions had eight different individuals qualify for Regionals in Llewellyn’s time as head coach, including three in 2021
The Lions posted six-straight MIC championships under Llewellyn’s leadership. Over her nine seasons, Lindenwood earned 78 all-conference honors, including 18 in 2021. The Lions also earned four WCGA All-American honors in 2021, giving the Lions 64 All-Americans during Llewellyn’s tenure. Llewellyn was named Division II Regional Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2021.
In the classroom, the Lions achieved the highest GPA in program history in 2021, posting a 3.84 to top the previous record of 3.82 from 2020. Her student-athletes earned numerous MIC Scholar-Athlete and USA Gymnastics Scholar-Athlete honors, and in 2017 two members of the program became the first Academic All-Americans in team history

A native of Kenmore, Washington, Llewellyn was a three-time all-American and a national runner-up on bars at Oregon State. She would also win a Pac-12 championship in 2009 on bars and an NCAA Regionals championship in 2008 on bars.
Llewellyn earned her bachelor’s degree in merchandise management in 2012 from Oregon State and her master’s in communication from Lindenwood in 2014. She and her husband, Cody, have two children, William Grayson and Blakely.

What they’re saying about Jen Llewellyn:

Jen Cohen, USC Athletic Director, former Washington Athletics Director
“Jen Llewellyn is an exceptional coach, leader and person. She brings to Iowa Gymnastics a wealth of experience, a championship mindset and will build a culture where the young women in her program will thrive both in and out of competition. This is a great hire by Iowa.”

Jay Clark, Head Coach, Louisiana State University
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jen since she was an athlete that I recruited. She was a tenacious competitor then, and I’ve watched from afar as she has grown into the complete coach she is today. She understands the importance of standards, values and todays need for a true culture of buy in from every role being played on her team. I’m excited to see her take this next challenge and move the needle the way she has everywhere she has been. Iowa is fortunate to have such a coach full of integrity and ambition to succeed.”

K.J. Kindler, Head Coach, University of Oklahoma
“In Jen’s young career she has accomplished what many thought might be unreachable including growing the Lindenwood program from inception to a birth in the NCAA post season and nurturing the Washington Huskies to compete in the final sixteen. Her professional endeavors are always preceded by her devotion to personal relationships with her student- athletes. She will undoubtedly provide the leadership and vision to propel the Hawkeyes into the next phase.”

Tanya Chaplin, Head Coach, Oregon State
“Jen is an exceptional coach, mentor, and teacher, dedicated to developing and empowering her athletes at every stage of their journey. Her enthusiasm and passion for the sport are contagious. It has been exciting to watch her succeed at every step of her journey, from a student-athlete to a championship coach. I am excited to watch her thrive at Iowa.”

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Iowa Letterwinners Club and the University of Iowa Athletics Department announced its 2024 Hall of Fame Class on Thursday.

The 35th Hall of Fame class includes Mike Boddicker (baseball), Sue Bury (field hockey), Rico Chiapparelli (men’s wrestling), Adrian Clayborn (football), Laura Dvorak (women’s tennis), Shonn Greene (football), Kevin Kunnert (men’s basketball) and Lindsey Meder (women’s basketball).

The eight-person class will be inducted into the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Aug. 30 – the evening prior to the Iowa football team’s season opener against Illinois State.

The induction ceremony, which is open to the public, will be held in the Feller Club Room at Carver-Hawkeye Arena with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. (CT) and the ceremony will follow at 6:30 p.m. Cost for the evening is $25 and includes heavy appetizers and a cash bar will be available. Reserve your spot TODAY!

All Iowa athletes who have earned at least one varsity letter at Iowa are eligible for the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame. Athletes must have completed their eligibility 10 years and coaches/administrators five years prior to their induction.

2024 Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame Class

Mike Boddicker, Baseball (1976-78)

First-team All-Big Ten as a pitcher (1978)… third-team All-Big Ten as an infielder (1976)… led the NCAA, averaging 11.5 strikeouts per game as a senior… had a school-record 0.79 ERA in 1976… had a school-record six career shutouts… led the team in innings and strikeouts in 1978 and 1979… led the team in batting average in 1978 (.350) and doubles in 1978 (9) and 1976 (9)… finished his career with 189 strikeouts, ranking in top 10 in program history… selected in the sixth round of the 1978 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles… made his MLB debut on Oct. 4, 1980… played for four franchises – Baltimore Orioles (1980-88), Boston Red Sox (1988-90), Kansas City Royals (1991-92) and Milwaukee Brewers (1993) – during 11-year MLB career… Sporting News Rookie of the Year… MLB All-Star selection… Gold Glove Award recipient… 1983 American League Championship Series MVP… had a 134-116 career MLB record with a 3.80 ERA… the Mike Boddicker Scholarship is presented annually (since 1993) to an Iowa baseball student-athlete who is in good academic standing and displays character and personality.

Sue Bury, Field Hockey (1979-83)

Two-time NFHCA first-team All-American (1981, 1982)… first-team All-Big Ten selection (1982)… named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team in 1981… first-team member of the Big Ten Conference All-Decade team (1981-91)… led team to two Big Ten regular season titles (1981, 1982)… team won 82 games during collegiate career, including a school-record 25 games in 1981 and 21 in 1982 – the top two win totals in program history… competed in three AIAW National Championships and two NCAA Tournaments… played on the U.S. Olympics/Sports Festival in 1981, 1982 and 1985.

Rico Chiapparelli, Wrestling (1983, 1985-87)

1987 National Champion at 177 pounds… three-time All-American… also finished fourth at NCAAs at 177 in 1986 and fifth at 177 in 1985… three-time Big Ten champion (1985, 1986, 1987)… held Iowa to three NCAA team titles (1983, 1985, 1986) and four Big Ten titles (1983, 1985-87)… recipient of the Mike Howard Award, presented to Iowa’s Most Valuable Wrestler, in 1987… had 18 pins during the 1983 season, a total that ranks in top 10 in program history… had 49 career falls, which are tied for fourth in the record books.

Adrian Clayborn, Football (2007-10)

Consensus All-American after being voted first-team All-America by American Football Coaches Association and Walter Camp, and third-team All-America by the Associated Press and Phil Steele’s College Football in 2010… was finalist for Rotary Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award and a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award during his senior season… was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten honoree and Permanent Team Captain (2009 and 2010)… three-year starter at defensive end, helping Iowa post three-year record of 28-11, including three straight bowl victories for first time in school history… voted the Most Valuable Player in Iowa’s 2010 Orange Bowl victory over Georgia Tech… started the final 30 games at defensive end… totaled 192 tackles, including 37.5 for loss and 19 sacks, 19 QB hurries, seven forced fumbles, seven pass break-ups, three blocked kicks and one recovered fumble in his Hawkeye career… first on the team in tackles for loss (20), sacks (11.5), QB hurries (9) and forced fumbles (4) as a junior… ranked first on the team in QB hurries (6), and third in tackles for loss (7) and sacks (3.5) his senior campaign… ranked second on the team with eight tackles for loss as a sophomore… was a first round NFL Draft selection (20th selection overall) by Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2011.

Laura Dvorak, Women’s Tennis (1991-95)

Four-time first-team All-Big Ten selection (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995)… Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient in 2005 – the first women’s tennis honoree in school history… Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1992 – the first honoree in school history… Academic All-Big Ten selection (1995)… won a then school record 30 matches during her sophomore season… ranks second in school history in career singles victories (102), third in single-season singles victories (30) and fourth in combined career victories (170)… helped team to 50 team wins during four-year career.

Shonn Greene, Football (2005-06, ‘08)

Unanimous Consensus All-American after being named first-team All-America by American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, ESPN, Walter Camp Foundation, Associated Press and Sporting News in 2008… won the 2008 Doak Walker Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate running back… posted Iowa single season bests in rushing yards (1,850) and rushing touchdowns (20) in 2008… received the 2008 Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football Award, emblematic of the Big Ten Conference’s Most Valuable Player… became Iowa’s first consensus All-America running back since Nile Kinnick in 1939… became the first Iowa running back to rush for over 100 yards in all 13 games in a single-season (2008)… was the only running back in the nation to eclipse 100 yards rushing in every game in 2008… finished 2008 ranked second nationally in rushing yardage… his 2,228 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in his career rank 12th and eighth best in program history, respectively.

Kevin Kunnert, Men’s Basketball (1971-73)

First-team All-American by Helms in 1973… two-time second-team All-Big Ten selection (1972, 1973)… two-time team Most Valuable Player (1972, 1973)… had a school-record 48 double-doubles, including 20 in 1972-73 and 19 in 1971-72… averaged a career double-double at 15.9 points and 12.7 rebounds… scored 1,145 points and grabbed 914 rebounds during 72 game career… finished his career as the top rebounder in Iowa history, pulling in 914 rebounds from 1971-73… currently ranks third all-time…has two of the top six rebounding seasons in school history (353 in 1972; 334 in 1973)… has two of the top rebounding games in program history (23 rebounds vs. Drake, Illinois, in 1972)… had three career 30-point games and a school record eight 20+ rebound games… had one of seven 20-point, 20-rebound double-doubles in program history (24 points, 23 rebounds vs. Illinois in 1972)… one of seven players in school history to have three 200 rebound seasons… led team in rebounding three straight seasons and in field goal percentage twice… averaged team-bests with 19.2 points and 13.9 rebounds in 1973… selected in the 1973 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls (First Round, 12th pick).

Lindsey Meder, Women’s Basketball (1998-2002)

Three-time All-Big Ten selection (first-team, 2001, 2002; second-team, 2000)… two-time Academic All-American (2001, 2002)… three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree… recipient of the 2002 NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship… led team to a pair of NCAA Tournaments… member of the 2001 Big Ten Tournament title team… finished her career ranking second in school history in career scoring (1,906 points) and was first in 3-point field goals (261)… had two 500+ point seasons in 2000-01 (523) and 1999-00 (516)… led the team in scoring from 2000-02… was the first Hawkeye to score 490+ points in three straight seasons… team’s top 3-point shooter in 1998-99 and 1999-00… selected in the third round of the 2002 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx… played in the 2001 United States Team Trials.