Maggie Haney

Maggie Elaine Haney (born February 8, 1978) is a former American gymnastics coach, having been suspended for eight years by USA Gymnastics in April 2020 due to her abusive conduct. She serves as the head coach at MG Elite Gymnastics, Inc in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. She is best known for coaching 2016 Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez and 2018 World champion Riley McCusker.

Life and career Haney began gymnastics at age three. She obtained an athletic scholarship at North Carolina State University, where she competed for the NC State Wolfpack women's gymnastics program from 1997 until 2000 and is credited with the most Perfect 10s in the program's history. On November 22, 1998, while attending North Carolina State University, Haney hosted a party that ended in a fatal shooting. She was charged with a misdemeanor alcohol violation and avoided prosecution. Under Haney's coaching, MG Elite gymnasts were noted for their dance skills and artistry. In August 2019, it was announced Haney was under investigation by USA Gymnastics over allegations of verbal and emotional abuse. At least a half dozen families filed complaints against Haney, alleging that she instructed injured gymnasts to remove casts and continue training, as well as screaming at and threatening gymnasts. On February 3, 2020, her hearing on the allegations began. She was suspended from coaching minor athletes pending the outcome of the hearing. McCusker, a world champion trained by Haney, suffered rhabdomyolysis, a muscle condition linked to overtraining, in 2019. In March, USA Gymnastics suspended Victoria Levine, a coach and co-owner of MG Elite Gymnastics, due to allegations that she also was verbally abusive to athletes.

After the hearing, further details of the testimony came to light. Haney pulled gymnasts by their hair, swore and screamed at them - often calling them "retarded" - and threatened to commit suicide if top gymnasts left her program. She is prohibited from coaching USA Gymnastics athletes during this period,

Haney was reported in late 2020 to be still privately coaching individual gymnasts despite the suspension.