Anastasia Candia Elevated to Head Coach of Rutgers Gymnastics
Rutgers University just kicked off a new chapter for its gymnastics program. Anastasia Candia, an alum and longtime assistant, is now the head coach.
This moment feels full-circle for Candia. She’s spent more than a decade with Scarlet Knights gymnastics, first as a student-athlete, then as a coach.
Her promotion comes after a record-setting 2025 season. Rutgers made it back to the NCAA Championships for the first time in over ten years.
Candia’s deep roots and leadership could push Rutgers gymnastics to new heights in the Big Ten and beyond. The excitement around the program is hard to miss.
The Rise of Anastasia Candia: From Scarlet Knight to Head Coach
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Few coaching stories show loyalty and growth like Anastasia Candia. She competed for Rutgers from 2011 to 2015 and then joined the coaching staff for seven seasons.
Candia’s journey reflects dedication and a real love for the sport. She worked as an assistant coach from 2018 to 2021, then as associate head coach from 2022 to 2024.
In January 2025, she stepped up as acting head coach. Her leadership quickly paid off, guiding Rutgers through one of its best seasons ever.
During her interim run, Candia made an instant impact. She picked up the 2025 WCGA Region 3 Head Coach of the Year award.
Her assistants, Danielle DeMarco and Michael Rosso, also earned regional coaching honors. The staff’s energy has brought new confidence and fire to Rutgers gymnastics.
A Record-Setting 2025 Season
The 2025 season felt historic for Rutgers. Under Candia, the Scarlet Knights punched their ticket to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2014.
At the Big Ten Championships, the team scored a 196.225, their highest since joining the conference in 2015. That number clinched their NCAA spot and turned heads across the gymnastics world.
Rutgers kept things consistent all season. They posted three of the top eight team scores in school history, plus two of the top six on uneven bars and two of the top nine on beam.
The beam squad, Candia’s specialty, finished ranked No. 22 nationally. That says a lot about her coaching chops and ability to motivate.
Building a Culture of Excellence on Beam
Candia’s work on the balance beam stands out the most. Since joining the staff, she’s helped Rutgers become a true beam powerhouse.
Under her guidance, the team has set 10 of the top 11 beam scores since 2020. In 2023, they hit a school-record 49.400.
Her coaching focuses on precision and composure, but also on confidence. Those qualities now define Rutgers gymnastics.
Mentoring Standout Athletes
Candia’s influence goes beyond the team’s scores. She’s helped shape some of Rutgers’ most successful gymnasts.
She’s coached several NCAA Regional qualifiers, like Stephanie Zannella and Hannah Joyner in 2023, then Gabrielle Dildy and Rachael Riley in 2025.
Joyner made history under Candia, becoming the first Rutgers gymnast to qualify for nationals on beam, tying the school record with a 9.950. That kind of success shows how much Candia’s personalized approach matters.
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In 2021, Rutgers earned its first-ever podium finishes at the Big Ten Championships. Joyner and Belle Huang both took home bronze medals on beam.
These moments proved Candia’s technical approach works. She’s built a program that values mental strength and consistency above all.
Academic and Professional Credentials
Candia’s academic background brings something extra to her coaching. She earned her psychology degree from Rutgers, then got her master’s in counseling psychology at Temple University.
She also spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Temple before returning to Rutgers. Now, she’s working toward a doctorate in sport psychology at Temple and blends mental performance strategies into her training.
Her athletes learn to balance life on and off the mat. That holistic approach seems to make a real difference.
Leadership Philosophy and Vision for the Future
As head coach, Candia wants Rutgers to be a Big Ten contender and a respected national name. Her leadership mixes empathy with a tough sense of accountability.
She often talks about the pride of representing New Jersey. Leading a program that mirrors the state’s grit means a lot to her.
She’s not just focused on winning meets. Candia wants to build a culture that lasts, where athlete well-being, academics, and community matter just as much as trophies.
Rutgers Gymnastics in the Big Ten Landscape
The Big Ten is loaded with top gymnastics programs, so every meet is a real challenge. With Candia in charge, Rutgers has shown it can compete—and even excel—against the best.
The team’s scores and national rankings keep trending upward. They’re not just underdogs anymore; they’re contenders.
Looking forward, Candia plans to build on the momentum from 2025. She wants to boost recruiting, upgrade facilities, and put Rutgers on the national map.
Her long-term goal? Make Rutgers a regular at NCAA Championships, not just a one-off qualifier.
Legacy and Impact of a Homegrown Leader
For Rutgers fans, Candia’s promotion is more than a coaching change. It’s a homegrown success story that captures the university’s spirit.
She’s worn the Scarlet Knights uniform herself, so she gets the pride and pressure that come with it. Her journey from gymnast to head coach shows what perseverance and local investment can do.
Candia’s tenure will mix tradition with fresh ideas. She’s the ninth head coach in program history and seems determined to leave her mark while honoring those who came before her.
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Rutgers Gymnastics
Anastasia Candia is stepping up as the new leader for Rutgers gymnastics. She’s got the experience, the education, and honestly, a contagious passion for the sport.
People around the program seem genuinely excited to see what she’ll do with the Scarlet Knights. The 2025 season showed that Rutgers can hang with some of the top teams out there.
Now, with Candia at the helm, everyone’s hoping Rutgers keeps that momentum rolling. It feels like the team is on the edge of something big.
As Rutgers Athletics keeps expanding its presence in the Big Ten and even further, Candia’s new role sends a strong message. The school wants to build on its culture and keep chasing championships.
For fans and alumni, there’s this sense that Rutgers gymnastics is really just getting started. Honestly, it’s hard not to wonder what’s next—and maybe, just maybe, the best is yet to come.