Photo gallery: Utah gymnastics readies for season at Red Rocks Preview with Kyle Whittingham, Alex Jensen in attendance

Published: Dec 13, 2025, 1:03 p.m. MST

Utah Utes gymnasts cheer after competing in the Red Rocks Preview at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Tess Crowley, Deseret News

The Deseret News is the longest-running news organization in Utah and the state's oldest continuously operating business.

The Utah gymnastics team held its annual Red Rocks Preview Friday night at the Jon M. Huntsman Center as it prepares for its 2026 season.

The free event gave gymnasts a chance to perform their routines in front of a crowd before real scoring starts in the season and gave fans a chance to see the 2026 team in action for the first time.

Notably in attendance was Kyle Whittingham, who stepped down as Utah’s head football coach on Friday after 21 seasons. He and men’s basketball head coach Alex Jensen (who was also in attendance) had been named “guest judges” for the event prior to his stepping down Friday afternoon.

Utah gymnastics coach Carly Dockendorf on Kyle Whittingham guest judging at Red Rocks Preview tonight:

“That was absolutely huge, and I think that is the epitome of Kyle. You know, he cares so much about his family and about this university and he’s very selfless.

You know, he…
— Joe Coles (@JoeAColes) December 13, 2025