While Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault chases a second-straight NBA championship, his wife, Ashley Kerr, has resigned her position as an assistant coach with the Oklahoma Sooners women's gymnastics squad
In a bittersweet announcement on Tuesday, University of Oklahoma head women’s gymnastics coach K.J. Kindler revealed that longtime assistant coach Ashley Kerr has resigned from her position after nine impactful seasons with the Sooners program.
Kerr, who is married to Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, will be replaced by former OU individual national champion gymnast Olivia Trautman.
The news marks the end of an era for one of the most decorated coaching staffs in college gymnastics. Kerr’s departure comes as the OU program continues its dynasty under Kindler, having secured multiple national titles during her tenure.
For fans of Oklahoma sports, the story carries added resonance because it involves the spouse of the NBA’s rising coaching star in Mark Daigneault, creating a unique “power couple” dynamic across professional basketball and collegiate gymnastics in the Sooner State.
Kindler’s Emotional Farewell
Kindler expressed deep gratitude and emotion in her statement: “With gratitude and a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Ashley after nine seasons. It’s rare to work beside someone who makes everyone around them better every day. Ashley’s impact on OU Gymnastics will be long-lasting, and she will always be a part of our family. Her devotion to the program and her constant drive for forward progress have been truly inspiring. We are deeply thankful for the time, leadership, passion and care she brought to this team, and she will be greatly missed.”
Kerr joined the Oklahoma staff in October 2017 as a volunteer assistant coach and was promoted to full assistant coach in July 2023. She primarily worked with the balance beam, helping elevate the Sooners to consistent excellence on that apparatus.
Under her guidance alongside Kindler, the beam team earned top-three national rankings every year she was on staff, including back-to-back No. 1 rankings in the 2018/2019 and 2024/2025 seasons.
Her contributions helped the Sooners achieve remarkable success: five national championships (2019, 2022, 2023, 2025, and 2026), seven NCAA finals appearances, eight NCAA regional titles, and seven conference crowns.
Kerr also played a key role in developing beam specialists, coaching 25 NCAA All-America honors on the event, including national champions Audrey Davis and Faith Torrez in 2024.
Kerr’s Own Reflection
In her resignation statement, Kerr reflected on her transformative time at OU: “After sincere thought, I have decided to resign from my position as assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma. I want to thank K.J. for the opportunity to be a part of a championship program. She, along with Tom, Lou and (athletic trainer) Jenn (Richardson), welcomed me into the OU family, fostered my growth as a coach and changed my life.”
She continued, “I have been inspired by our athletes’ commitment to excellence inside and outside the gym. Being a part of their journey has been an absolute privilege. My nine years at OU have brought me great joy and fulfillment. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities, experiences and relationships that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Kerr and fellow assistants Lou Ball and Tom Haley were honored as 2024 and 2026 WCGA South Central Region Assistant Coaches of the Year, and as 2024 WCGA National Assistant Coaches of the Year, underscoring their collective excellence.
A Championship Family
Ashley Kerr’s coaching journey is deeply intertwined with her family life. A former gymnast at the University of Florida, she met Mark Daigneault earlier in their careers.
The couple married in 2019 and now have two children: son AJ and daughter Stella. Balancing high-level coaching with family responsibilities while her husband rose through the ranks with the Thunder, from G-League to NBA head coach, has been a hallmark of their story.
Daigneault has often been vocal about his support for OU gymnastics, attending meets when schedules allowed and celebrating the program’s successes. He called her the best coach in his family, even after winning an NBA championship with the Thunder last season.
Meanwhile, Kerr built her own impressive résumé, contributing to national titles at both Florida (as a gymnast and early staffer) and Oklahoma.
At times, their parallel championship pursuits captured the imagination of Oklahoma sports fans, with headlines noting how one spouse chased NBA success while the other stacked gymnastics hardware.
Kerr’s decision to step away is described as coming after sincere thought, likely influenced by a desire to spend more time with family or pursue new opportunities as her children grow and Daigneault’s NBA commitments intensify.
The Thunder, under Daigneault, have emerged as a Western Conference powerhouse, adding another layer of public interest to the family’s moves. On Tuesday, Daigneault's squad advanced to the Western Conference Finals.
Legacy and Future
Olivia Trautman, stepping in as the new assistant, brings her own storied history as a former OU gymnast and individual national champion. She inherits a beam program that has been a cornerstone of Oklahoma’s dominance.
Ashley Kerr leaves behind a legacy of excellence, mentorship, and steady leadership. Her nine seasons coincided with some of the most dominant years in OU gymnastics history.
While her daily presence on the floor will be missed, her influence on athletes, fellow coaches, and the broader program, will endure as the Sooners aim for continued success.
For Mark Daigneault and the Thunder organization, Kerr’s transition opens a new chapter in their family’s Oklahoma story.
As the NBA season progresses and gymnastics enters its off-season rhythm, both coaches will navigate the next phase together, rooted in the championship culture they’ve each helped build in their respective sports.