Maile’ana Kanewa-Hermelyn Named Head Coach of Michigan Women’s Gymnastics
The University of Michigan just turned a big page in its women’s gymnastics story by naming Maile’ana Kanewa-Hermelyn as head coach. After seven years on staff—six of those full-time—Kanewa-Hermelyn steps in for Bev Plocki, who retired after an astonishing 36 years at the helm.
This shift is huge for the Wolverines. They’re hoping to build on their national championship momentum and keep running the Big Ten, now with Kanewa-Hermelyn leading the charge.
Her path from standout Oklahoma gymnast to respected Michigan assistant coach has set her up for this. Michigan fans can expect her to bring championship experience, creative coaching, and a real passion for developing athletes.
A New Era for Michigan Gymnastics
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Kanewa-Hermelyn is now just the seventh head coach in Michigan women’s gymnastics history, a program that’s been around since 1976. She follows one of the NCAA’s all-time greats—Bev Plocki—who leaves behind 27 Big Ten titles and a national championship.
The announcement, shared by Michigan Athletics, emphasizes both continuity and the careful planning that’s gone into preparing Kanewa-Hermelyn for this role.
As an assistant, Kanewa-Hermelyn helped push Michigan into the national spotlight. She played a key role in guiding the Wolverines to their first NCAA championship in 2021, which really put the program on the map.
Her work in choreography, event prep, and athlete mentorship helped Michigan reach new levels across several events.
The Legacy of Bev Plocki
Before we get into Kanewa-Hermelyn’s background, it’s worth pausing to appreciate what she’s inheriting. Bev Plocki spent nearly four decades turning Michigan into a gymnastics powerhouse.
Under Plocki, the Wolverines were always in the national conversation, racking up conference titles and producing Olympians and NCAA champions. Plocki’s choice to mentor Kanewa-Hermelyn says a lot about her confidence in her successor.
This smooth transition should keep Michigan’s high standards intact, while giving Kanewa-Hermelyn space to bring her own ideas as a younger coach with fresh championship experience.
Kanewa-Hermelyn’s Coaching Journey
Kanewa-Hermelyn’s rise through the coaching ranks has been impressive. She started as a volunteer assistant in 2019, quickly earning a full-time spot by 2020.
Her impact was immediate. In her first season, she picked up WCGA Northeast Regional Assistant Coach of the Year honors after helping Michigan win the Big Ten regular-season title—even though COVID-19 cut the postseason short.
Her reputation kept growing. In 2021, she and the staff were named WCGA Assistant Coaches of the Year after leading Michigan to its first national championship.
That year, the Wolverines set program records on several events, including a 49.875 on vault—second-highest in NCAA history at that point. They also broke school records on beam and bars, and regularly scored above 198, which is elite territory in college gymnastics.
Specialization in Beam and Floor
Kanewa-Hermelyn has made a real mark with Michigan’s beam and floor groups. She choreographed floor routines that kept Michigan ranked No. 1 nationally for six weeks, and her beam lineup broke records too.
In 2024, her beam squad reached sixth in the country, while her floor team hit fourth. She’s got a knack for blending artistry and athleticism, which really stands out in her coaching style.
She’s also had a big influence on athlete development. Sophomore Kayli Boozer, for instance, was named College Gym News Breakthrough Athlete of the Year in 2025 after making three lineups under Kanewa-Hermelyn’s guidance.
Stories like that show she can coach at the highest level and help young athletes shine.
From Oklahoma Champion to Michigan Leader
Kanewa-Hermelyn’s coaching success really goes back to her own athletic career. She competed for Oklahoma from 2012 to 2016, helping them win two national championships and earning All-America honors on vault and floor.
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She finished as NCAA runner-up on floor and won the Big 12 vault title twice. Competing at that level taught her discipline, resilience, and teamwork—qualities she now tries to pass on to her athletes.
After graduating in human relations, she stayed on at Oklahoma as a student assistant coach and helped the Sooners win another national title. She later earned a master’s in human relations while working in athletic development, picking up experience in program building and fundraising that’ll be useful at Michigan.
A Vision for the Future
Kanewa-Hermelyn isn’t just focused on wins and titles. She talks about building a culture based on integrity, grit, and joy.
Her goal is to develop strong, confident women who succeed both in gymnastics and life beyond college. This fits with Michigan’s broader philosophy of producing leaders and champions on and off the field.
When she was named head coach, she talked about raising the standard and continuing to compete for championships the Michigan way. She wants to blend tradition with innovation and put her own stamp on the program’s future.
Michigan’s Outlook Under Kanewa-Hermelyn
Looking forward, Michigan fans should expect the Wolverines to stay in the national mix with Kanewa-Hermelyn at the helm. The roster keeps attracting top recruits, and the coaching staff has already shown they can compete at the highest level.
Her combination of championship experience, coaching awards, and deep understanding of Michigan’s culture makes her a great fit to lead the program into its next era.
Key Accomplishments to Date
- National Championship (2021): Helped lead Michigan to its first NCAA title.
- Multiple Big Ten Titles: Contributed to three Big Ten championships and four regular-season titles.
- Record-Breaking Performances: Guided Wolverines to program-best scores on vault, beam, and floor.
- Individual Athlete Development: Coached breakout stars like Kayli Boozer.
- Award Recognition: Named WCGA Assistant Coach of the Year and three-time Regional Assistant Coach of the Year.
Final Thoughts
The appointment of Maile’ana Kanewa-Hermelyn as head coach of Michigan women’s gymnastics isn’t just a routine coaching change. It feels like a deliberate move—one that aims to keep the program’s legacy of excellence alive for years ahead.
She brings a championship background and coaching expertise. Her vision for developing athletes as whole people stands out, honestly.
It’s not a stretch to say Michigan fans should expect the Wolverines to keep dominating the Big Ten. The program’s probably going to stay in the national spotlight, too.
As the Wolverines move from the Bev Plocki era to Kanewa-Hermelyn’s leadership, there’s a sense of anticipation. The future of Michigan gymnastics looks incredibly bright, doesn’t it?
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