Jon Valdez, Former University of Illinois Mens’ Gymnastics Coach, Guilty Of Videotaping Male Gymnast In Locker Room

Jon Valdez, who was the leading assistant coach since 2000 for the men’s gymnastics team at the University of Illinois, pled guilty before a judge yesterday to a charge of videotaping without consent. Valdez was caught shooting video of a young, male gymnast, disrobing and naked, without his knowledge or consent. The discovery of the video occurred when a student found Valdez’s tiny, hidden camera inside a locker in the athletic dressing room at University of Illinois’ Kenny Gym on September 25, 2008

A 23-year gymnastics veteran, the 39 year-old College Station, Texas native was being groomed to take over the head coaching position next season until he resigned on October 17. While the school never said he resigned because of the hidden-camera situation, Valdez was also in the midst of dealing with a DUI charge after being picked up on September 18 for operating under the influence. Basically, this guy’s life is a whole lot of mess right now.

Meanwhile, his history would give no such indication. Valdez coached bronze Olympic medalist Justin Spring at the Beijing Olympics after coaching him at the University of Illinois. And before Valdez landed in Illinois, he was the head coach and boys’ program director at USA World Gymnastics, in Utah. Prior to his time in Utah, he was the head coach at Gold Cup Gymnastics in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Valdez only received 24 months probation and community service with substance abuse and mental health evaluations because who among us hasn’t videotaped a young gymnast in the locker room?

Update: Former Illinois men’s assistant gymnastics coach pleads guilty [Daily Illini]
Jon Valdez University of Illinois Profile [Cached]
Former Illinois men’s gymnastics coach Valdez resigns, cooperates with police [ESPN]