At the University of Oklahoma, the spotlight often shines brightest on the softball diamond, where Coach Patty Gasso has built a dynasty that’s the envy of college athletics. With eight national championships and a reputation for transforming OU into a softball powerhouse, Gasso is rightfully celebrated as one of the greatest coaches in Sooner history. But just across campus, another legend has been quietly crafting her own legacy, one that rivals Gasso’s in both achievement and impact: K.J. Kindler, head coach of the OU women’s gymnastics team. While Kindler may not garner the same fanfare, her record suggests she’s every bit as elite—and perhaps even on the same level as Gasso.
Kindler’s recent triumph at the 2025 NCAA Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, where her Sooners clinched their seventh national title, is a testament to her coaching prowess. Facing a stacked field that included UCLA’s Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles and other elite gymnasts like Utah’s Grace McCallum and Amelie Morgan, Oklahoma delivered under pressure. Their balance beam performance, with every score at 9.900 or higher, set the tone for a dominant night that culminated in a phenomenal uneven bars routine to seal the victory. This win wasn’t just another trophy—it marked OU’s seventh gymnastics national championship under Kindler, a number that draws strikingly close to Gasso’s eight softball titles.
Both coaches have turned their programs into juggernauts, but their paths to greatness share similar hallmarks: consistency, resilience, and an ability to elevate their teams to dynasty status. Gasso, who started at OU in 1995, won her first national title in 2000, a victory that OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione credits as a catalyst for broader athletic success at the university [Web ID: 13]. Since then, she’s added seven more, including a historic four-peat from 2021 to 2024, cementing her status as softball’s gold standard [Web ID: 6]. Kindler, arriving in Norman in 2006, took a program that was solid but not elite and transformed it into a perennial contender. By 2014, she had her first national championship, and as of 2025, she’s now at seven—achieving that in just 19 years compared to Gasso’s 30 [Web ID: 5]. If not for the 2020 season cancellation due to COVID-19, where OU was favored to win, Kindler might already be tied with Gasso at eight titles [Post ID: 4].
The numbers tell a compelling story. Gasso’s career record at OU stands at 1,515–352–2, with a winning percentage of .811 [Web ID: 6]. She’s reached the Women’s College World Series 17 times and has 15 Big 12 regular season titles [Web ID: 7]. Kindler, meanwhile, has led OU gymnastics to 14 Big 12 titles, 14 straight regional titles, and 12 top-three national finishes, alongside her seven championships [Web ID: 12]. Her teams have also set NCAA scoring records, like the 198.950 at the 2024 Big 12 Championships [Web ID: 12]. While softball and gymnastics differ in competitive depth—softball often faces a broader field of contenders annually [Web ID: 16]—Kindler’s ability to dominate a sport where precision and consistency are paramount is arguably just as impressive.
Beyond the hardware, both coaches share a knack for developing talent and fostering a culture of excellence. Gasso has produced 84 All-Americans and 16 Big 12 Players of the Year, with stars like Jocelyn Alo earning consecutive USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year honors [Web ID: 11]. Kindler’s gymnasts have earned 189 All-America honors, and athletes like Jordan Bowers, who claimed the 2025 all-around title, have thrived under her guidance [Web ID: 12]. Both programs also excel academically, with Gasso’s team boasting 23 Academic All-Americans and Kindler’s earning multiple Academic All-American honors in a single year [Web ID: 11][Web ID: 5].
Yet, despite these parallels, Gasso often overshadows Kindler in the public eye. Gasso’s wildfire fan support is legendary—Marita Hynes Field is harder to get into than a Broadway show, and her players’ jerseys are sold at national retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods [Web ID: 9][Web ID: 16]. She’s been inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame alongside icons like Will Rogers, a testament to her cultural impact [Web ID: 13]. Kindler, while drawing impressive crowds at Lloyd Noble Center, doesn’t quite match that fervor, and her program lacks the same mainstream visibility [Web ID: 15]. Posts on X reflect this sentiment, with some fans noting that Kindler’s seven titles deserve more recognition, especially given her shorter tenure [Post ID: 4].
So why the disparity? Part of it may be the nature of the sports. Softball’s fast-paced, accessible style lends itself to broader appeal, and Gasso’s role in popularizing the sport nationally—showing that non-West Coast teams could compete—has amplified her legacy [Web ID: 20]. Gymnastics, while electrifying, is more niche, with a smaller competitive field and less frequent media exposure outside the Olympics. But Kindler’s impact is undeniable. UCLA’s Valorie Kondos-Field once compared her to Bill Belichick for her strategic brilliance, a nod to her ability to outmaneuver the best in the sport [Web ID: 1].
Some argue Gasso’s edge lies in her longevity and the deeper competitive landscape of softball, as noted by analysts like Berry Tramel [Web ID: 16]. Others, however, see Kindler closing the gap. X users have called for “GOAT conversations” around Kindler, pointing to her rapid ascent and suggesting she might already be on par with Gasso if not for external factors like the 2020 cancellation [Post ID: 2][Post ID: 3]. Financially, Kindler’s value is recognized—her 2025 salary of $555,000 after a $100,000 raise reflects OU’s commitment to keeping her, though Gasso’s compensation, while not detailed here, is likely higher given her program’s revenue generation [Web ID: 0].
Ultimately, the debate isn’t about who’s better but about giving Kindler her due. Gasso’s legacy is secure, but Kindler’s seven titles in 19 years, her record-breaking performances, and her ability to build a dynasty from scratch make her a legend in her own right. As OU celebrates its latest gymnastics triumph, it’s time for Sooner Nation to elevate Kindler to the same pedestal as Gasso—two coaches who, in their own arenas, have redefined what it means to be elite.
