Oklahoma assistant gymnastics coach Ashley Kerr resigned after nine seasons in Norman. Former OU national champion Olivia Trautman will return to the program as her replacement.

Kerr guided Oklahoma's national champions, Audrey Davis and Faith Torrez, to share the 2024 NCAA individual title on balance beam and coached other athletes to 25 All-American honors.

Her decision was announced by K.J. Kindler, head coach of Women's Gymnastics at the University of Oklahoma.

"With gratitude and a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Ashley after nine seasons,” Kindler said, as reported by The Sooner Club. “Ashley's impact on OU Gymnastics will be long-lasting, and she will always be a part of our family.”

At Oklahoma, Kerr rose from volunteer assistant in 2017 to assistant coach in 2023. Primarily focusing on the balance beam, she helped Sooners retain a top-three ranking in the event across her nine-year tenure, including consecutive first-place finishes in 2018-2019 and 2024-2025.

Her work powered the OU to seven NCAA finals, five nationals, eight NCAA regional championships, and seven conference crowns.

Kerr's legacy is cemented via both team and coaching accolades. Along with her fellow assistants, she won the 2024 and 2026 WCGA South Central Region Assistant Coaches of the Year, and the 2024 WCGA National Assistant Coaches of the Year.

Reflecting on her journey, Kerr thanked Kindler and her colleagues for their contribution.

"She (Kindler), along with Tom, Lou, and (athletic trainer) Jenn (Richardson), welcomed me into the OU family," she stated.

With a tenure marked by success, Kerr's contributions firmly established OU as a consistent winner.

“My nine years at OU have brought me great joy and fulfilment," she said.

As she departs Oklahoma, Olivia Trautman's arrival as assistant coach could help prolong the university's success.

Olivia Trautman’s Return to Oklahoma

The new assistant coach has received an effusive welcome, with Kindler noting her qualities and energy. Trautman will join the team after spending a successful season under the tutelage of former Sooner Kristin White at Utah State.

“She brings incredible qualities to our staff, including energy, attention to detail, and grit," Kindler stated. "Beyond her work ethic, her character, integrity, and genuine care for those around her make her an outstanding addition to our program.”

A 10-time NCAA All-American and 2023 NCAA Vault Champion at OU, she has proven her coaching credentials. Trautman guided athletes from Texas A&M University to a Mountain West Conference title and all-league honors on beam.

Furthermore, her coaching steps began at OU. She was a student assistant coach in 2023-24, during which the Sooners set an NCAA scoring record with a 198.950 in the Big 12 Championship.

"I'm incredibly grateful to be able to come back to the University of Oklahoma as an assistant coach," Trautman stated. “It's an honor to now give back to the place that gave me so much."

While Kerr's departure is significant, Kindler's recruiting of Trautman to the team is a smart step. Success will be an expectation, as OU is coming off a strong 2026 season.

The team finished with its 16th consecutive NCAA regional championship and eighth national title in 12 years.

Written by

Sebi Mehta

Edited by

Sijo Paul