Interview with Michigan's new head coach, Maile’ana Kanewa-Hermelyn

You already know — we’re huge Michigan fans, so we are especially excited about today’s guest. Joining us is the brand new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, Maile’ana Kanewa-Hermelyn.

Maile has been a key part of the Michigan coaching staff for the past seven seasons — six as an assistant coach and one as a volunteer assistant. Before that, she was a gymnast at the University of Oklahoma, where she was an All-American on vault and floor, a two-time Big 12 vault champion, the NCAA runner-up on floor in 2014, and a member of two national championship-winning teams — including Oklahoma’s very first NCAA title.

After her competitive career, she transitioned into coaching, helping guide the Sooners to their third NCAA championship as a student assistant.

My favorite fun fact about Maile (that I will say at every opportunity that I get) is that, to our knowledge, she is the only person to win an NCAA title as an athlete and a coach. She helped Oklahoma win its first title when she was an athlete in 2014 and then of course she helped Michigan win its first title as a coach in 2021.

Now, she steps into the head coaching role following the legendary Bev Plocki, who led the program for 36 seasons. Maile joins us to talk about her vision for Michigan gymnastics as she leads the team into a brand-new era — right as the program enters its 50th year.

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