Cattermoles announce their retirement from BYU

Longtime BYU women's gymnastics head coach Brad Cattermole today announced he is retiring from coaching after 28 years at BYU. His wife Dawn, who has been an assistant coach since 1987, is also retiring. The Cattermole’s took over the BYU gymnastics program in 1987 and guided the Cougars to eight National Championship Tournament team appearances, the 15th most in NCAA history. BYU also received 24 NCAA Regional berths during the Cattermole’s tenure.

“It’s been a great 28 years for Dawn and myself. We’ve loved working at BYU and have enjoyed a lot of success,” said Brad Cattermole. “Our staff has been together a long time. Assistant coach Shauna Mertz has been like a daughter to us. It’s been one of the great blessing of my life to go to work everyday with my wife Dawn.”

Over the past 28 years, BYU has finished the season ranked in the top 25 15 times — including three top-10 finishes. In addition, seven Cougar gymnasts earned 17 NCAA All-America awards. Before conference meets were eliminated in 1994, the Cattermole’s teams were league runners-up five times, and seven athletes earned 10 all-conference honors.

“We’ve had a lot of great student-athletes throughout the years,” said Brad. “Their dedication and love for gymnastics has been the reason for our success. We are proud of the women they have become and the positive influence they’ve had on the world since graduating from BYU. We will certainly miss the day-to-day interactions with these young women.”

Over the years, the Cattermole’s recruiting efforts have netted five U.S. National Team members, six Canadian National Team members and numerous Junior Olympic National and Elite champions. Along with their coaching duties at BYU, the Cattermole’s own and operate All-American Gymnastics in Lindon, Utah. Highly successful since its establishment in 1976, All-American Gymnastics has produced numerous Junior Olympic National Champions as well as several Elite gymnasts.

“We want to express our appreciation to Brad and Dawn for their years of dedicated service to BYU and the gymnastics program,” said BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe. “They have run a successful program and have had a positive impact in the lives of many student-athletes. We wish them the very best as they begin the next chapter in their life.”

Born in Stormlake, Iowa, Brad grew up in Los Angeles. He competed on the 1971 BYU men’s gymnastics team his freshman year before serving a LDS mission to Peru. His competitive career ended when he broke his hand in practice shortly after returning from his mission. He was a part-time assistant women's gymnastics coach at BYU in 1975-76 while running All-American Gymnastics.

Dawn is a native of Elgin, Illinois. She has been an assistant coach at BYU since 1987 and served as the recruiting coordinator for the past 13 seasons. The couple has three boys and 8 grandchildren, with one due in June. 

A search for the new BYU women's gymnastics head coach will begin immediately. Information about the postion can be found at yjobs.byu.edu.