Rachelle Thompson, Taylor Alotta

Penn State's coach Rachelle Thompson talks with a gymnast before her balance beam routine during the NCAA women's gymnastics championships on Friday, April 18, 2014, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

(Butch Dill)

Penn State women's gymnastics associate head coach Rachelle Thompson will resign June 30, according to an email obtained by PennLive.

A PSU spokesman confirmed the news Friday morning. The spokesman said Rachelle's husband, Jeff Thompson, will remain as head coach.

Several former Lions gymnasts, parents and a former assistant coach told PennLive over the past three weeks that both Thompsons used bullying tactics and fostered a hostile environment. The parents of three gymnasts said their daughters developed depression and eating disorders during their time competing under the Thompsons.

An email from Rachelle Thompson's account sent to the team Thursday night said she was stepping down after six years to spend time with her family and focus on personal goals.

"It has recently become increasingly difficult for me to come to work each day with my normal passion," the email read. "As a result, I now find myself in a place I never imagined -- walking away from a sport and a program that has meant the world to me."

The Thompsons have worked at Penn State since 2010.

All eight gymnasts in the 2012 recruiting class left the program before their senior season, a parent told PennLive. And assistant coach Samantha Brown said she was fired in January after refusing to work under the head coaches.

The Daily Collegian, Penn State's student-run newspaper, was first to report on accusations made by former gymnasts.

Brown and the PSU gymnasts told PennLive that Rachelle Thompson pushed athletes to perform through injuries, pried into their personal lives and mocked their weight.

Brown and two current gymnasts told PennLive last week the entire team complained to an athletic department official in January about the Thompsons' overbearing behavior.

Earlier this week, Brown and parents of former gymnasts posted an online petition calling for outside investigation into Penn State's women's gymnastics program. As of 10 a.m. Friday, the petition had 1,093 signatures.

"We have accepted Rachelle Thompson's resignation and thank her for her commitment to Penn State, our women's gymnastics program and her many contributions as Associate Head Coach," said a statement released by Penn State's athletic department. "We wish her all the best as she begins her next chapter. The program has a solid foundation for future success and we look forward to continuing to build upon it with Head Coach Jeff Thompson and his staff. A national search for her replacement will begin immediately."

Here is our coverage on the women's gymnastics program:

Women's gymnastics program remains toxic, former assistant and current players say

Penn State gymnasts accuse coaches of mocking their weight, prying into personal lives; 8 leave team

How can anyone at Penn State fault athletes alleging abuse for going public?

And here is the full email that was sent from Thompson's account Thursday night.

Dear Friends, Family and Team,

It is with a heavy heart that I send this email letting you know that at the end of the work day on June 30, 2016, I intend to resign from my current position as Associate Head Coach of Penn State Women's Gymnastics in order to devote more time to my family and my own personal goals.

Over the last six years, I have wholeheartedly dedicated and offered all I have to give to every part of this program; however, it has recently become increasingly difficult for me to come to work each day with my normal passion. As a result, I now find myself in a place I never imagined - walking away from a sport and a program that has meant the world to me. Therefore, I have arrived at the only realistic conclusion - it's time for me to move on and chase my own personal dreams.

I will be forever grateful to all our ladies who have come through the doors and represented Penn State at the highest level. You made us all PSU PROUD. Moving forward, I will be the biggest supporter of Penn State Women's Gymnastics and I know that my husband, his new staff and all of the gymnasts will continue to make us proud.

For those of you who know me, who know my heart and who I truly am - I know you will totally understand and support my decision. Thank you for always being there for me.

Good Luck to all of you and as always . . .

Penn State Proud