Tom Farden seems to be following MyKayla Skinner’s fate. Skinner, who is a student of Farden, has been lambasted by the gymnastics community for her recent remarks. Backing her former coach’s aggressive tactics, Skinner suggested that controlled aggression is required to bring out the best in an athlete. Well, while these statements might sound bizarre, Tom Farden was accused of actually implementing the same. 

Farden, who has been the head coach at Utah since 2020, had a decade-long connection with the team as an assistant. While he directed Utah to several memorable moments, the parting was heartbreaking, to say the least. Back in 2023, a couple of gymnasts, Kim Tessen and Kara Eaker, accused Farden of implementing abusive tactics while training. As a result, the Utah authorities had no other choice than to give a golden handshake to Farden. However, just like any other perilous night, the sun seems to have shone in Tom Farden’s sky as well. 

Tom Farden headed towards a new beginning 

In a recent update, Tom Farden has taken over the mantle of the team director and girls’ coach at Twin City Twisters. The authorities at Twin City published a detailed statement, stating their jubilance about securing Farden’s services. An excerpt of the same was posted on X by an account named ‘jordynsleftbrow’. It showed that TCT has elaborated on Farden’s accomplishments as an NCAA coach. Farden’s impeccable work of crafting Utah’s path towards three consecutive NCAA four during 2021-23 was also mentioned. 

TCT further included some more of Farden’s achievements. They wrote, “Tom mentored dozens of NCAA All-Americans, as well as five NCAA champions, in 25 years as a college coach at Utah, Arkansas and Southeast Missouri State. Among his All-Americans at Utah were former Twin City Twisters Grace McCallum, Abby Paulson, Abby Brenner and Breanna Hughes. Along with Grace, who as you know was a silver medalist at the 2020 Olympics.”

Going back to the incident in Utah, Eaker even went on to state that she was diagnosed with ‘severe anxiety and depression, anxiety-induced insomnia’ due to Farden’s tactics. Although an investigation later could not prove his guilt, Farden’s coaching career was scarred. But even after finding himself a new job, Tom Farden is facing heavy backlash from the fans. 

Farden’s recent venture met with disdain

Gymnastics fans have not forgotten the allegations at Utah. And thus, they are not happy to vent their frustrations online. Soon after the news became public, negative comments began to appear. 

One X user expressed disapproval over Tom Farden being hired despite past allegations of abusive coaching tactics at Utah, which led to his dismissal. Arguing it’s inappropriate to hire him, especially given the sensitive nature of coaching minors in gymnastics, they wrote, “Why on earth would you hire a coach who was fired for the way he treated gymnasts?! And now for minors?? This sport is so toxic.”

Reflecting disappointment over TCT’s decision to give Tom Farden another chance as a coach, another user wrote, “People really don’t care about their athletes and it’s sad.” Over this news of Farden’s new coaching role, fans remain critical, believing insufficient attention is being given to athletes’ mental health.

“Didn’t coach sj write a letter of support for abuser mh? Like seriously tct get on the right side of something for once geez!”, wrote another netizen criticizing Twin City Twisters for hiring Tom Farden. Sharing personal opinion the gymnastics enthusiast tried referring to TCT having a history of backing problematic individuals. Thus they expressed frustration at TCT’s decision to employ Farden despite his previous abuse allegations.

Another fan enquiring about the authenticity of the information questioned the account, “Where is this posted? It’s not on any of their socials.” Replying to the same the X account which posted the news tried to confirm the alleged source. They replied, “It was in an email sent to parents”.

Well, things definitely do not look too bright for Farden at the moment. However, it is up to him whether he can prove himself and change the narrative around himself to pacify the dissatisfied fans.