Questions remain about track coach firing

Recently obtained records suggest one of Utah State’s most successful athletic coaches, Gregg Gensel, was terminated last fall possibly due to what what USU termed as “job competence.”

Five months after his official departure, Utah State remains quietly reluctant to release information about the former coach. The university did not send out a formal public announcement until a press release more than a month after his departure. In that release — sent out Dec. 22 — the university only said that Gensel was “no longer employed by the university.”

The 34-year coach was terminated Nov. 8, 2017. In records obtained by The Statesman, the reason for Gensel’s termination was labeled by USU in human resource records with a code standing for “termination – job competence.”

On March 27 Matt Ingebritsen and Artie Gulden were permanently hired as the head coaches of the track and field and cross country teams, respectively. Both were previously assistants under Gensel and were interim head coaches prior to being fully promoted.

The track and field and cross country teams did not receive an official explanation at the time as to what happened. Ingebritsen previously told The Statesman that he felt the athletics department was “deliberately leaving us in the dark” about Gensel.

As part of a records request, The Statesman asked for “any and all records including emails” between Gensel and six members of USU’s athletic department, including athletic director John Hartwell, regarding Gensel’s departure from Utah State. In a letter denying that request, Utah State said it “does not have any records” of correspondence between Gensel and those six people about his departure from the program.

In that same letter, Utah State said even if such records existed, the university would not release them, citing sections of Utah law, one of which state such records are protected if releasing them “could be expected to interfere with investigations” until the investigation is complete.

When asked to confirm if an investigation on Gensel is ongoing, a USU representative said in an email that it would be “inappropriate” to discuss personnel issues.

In 2010, Gensel signed a 10-year contract with Utah State — longer than any other coach currently with USU, according to public records. His contract details four major responsibilities or duties that, if not fulfilled by Gensel, could result in termination: abide by the rules and regulations of the NCAA and the conference (the WAC at the time the contract was signed); report all income derived from coaching including, among other things, income from sports camps, TV and radio programs, and endorsement or consultation contracts; to “faithfully perform” the duties of his position “to the best of his ability;” and conform to the policies, rules, and regulations of Utah State and the athletic department.

In Gensel’s contract there are four sections which describe ways Gensel could be let go other than violations of contract: if Gensel himself terminated it, if Utah State fired him for any reason “other than cause,” if Gensel became unable to perform his duties due to physical and mental disabilities, or some other reason as determined by the university.

All four of those options include the stipulation that the university continue to pay Gensel part of the money due to him under the contract. The Statesman requested the final compensation Gensel received from the university and in February were given a record indicating the university last paid Gensel on Dec. 1.

According to the Logan City Police Department, there is no criminal investigation involving Gensel and the university. The Statesman also reached out to the USU Title IX office, but the office did not comment per Title IX policy. There is also no criminal history or active civil cases involving the longtime coach, according to state court records.

During Gensel’s tenure as head coach, the Aggies’ men’s and women’s teams won 36 combined conference championships. Since 2005, Gensel coached the women’s cross country and track & field team to four individual titles and 13 for the men’s teams in that same span.

Gensel, who graduated from USU, was named Conference Coach of the Year 38 times, coached 258 individual conference champions, 39 All-Americans and 991 Academic All-Conference selections during his time with Utah State. Some athletes recruited when Gensel was there are now enjoying historic success with the Aggies and the team as a whole has done well post-Gensel.

Of the 78 individual event records for track and field and cross country (both indoor and outdoor) in Utah State history, only six have come in years where Gensel was not the head coach.

Gensel had a little more than three years left on his contract worth at least $300,000, not including annual increases or raises in his salary. He also could have made up to approximately $31,200 in stipends and incentives.

• @thejwalk67 (jasonwalker@aggiemail.usu.edu)
• @snowmatt1417 (matthewrh1214@gmail.com)