SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah gymnastics head coach Greg Marsden announced his retirement Monday after leading the Red Rocks onto unprecedented national success for the past 40 years.
It was an announcement that came as a surprise to everyone outside of closed doors.
Greg Marsden was able to keep his decision to retire a secret for a year -- his gymnasts were even left out of the circle.
"It was hard because right when he was trying to tell us, he was getting a little choked up and we were like 'Uh oh' because he doesn't cry," said senior Corrie Lothrop. "Obviously, it was a big deal so we all started crying and it was kind of rough."
The man who does not cry was more than teary-eyed when giving out his thanks, especially when it came to two people in the room.
"My two boys are in the room," Greg Marsden said through tears. "I want to thank them for understanding all those games I missed of theirs because I was somewhere else watching someone else’s kids."
He made it clear he will have absolutely no involvement in the team, but his wife, Megan Marsden, hopes they can still talk about the program.
"It is important that I can share my career on some level so hopefully once in a while at home we can talk about gymnastics," Megan Marsden said.
Greg Marsden was not empty on jokes.
"Here is our conversation: You never spend any time with me Megan, you're always at work!" Greg Marsden said with laughter.
Greg Marsden said it was just time to retire and that he could not have chosen a better time to hang his hat.
"This decision was made a year ago and it wouldn't have mattered how the season ended. I have experienced everything along the way,” Greg Marsden said. “But, with that said, I really couldn't have asked for a more story-book ending."
Read the previous story here: Utah gymnastics head coach Greg Marsden to retire after 40 award-winning seasons
