K.J. Kindler, who was recently named the new ISU gymnastics head coach, said she expects to have a smooth transition from assistant coach to head coach. Kindler, who has been an assistant coach for the ISU gymnastics team for eight seasons, was named as the head coach Friday. She is replacing Amy Pyle, who resigned in June. “It was very exciting [to be named head coach],” she said. “I was anxious to get underway. Practice started on Wednesday, so I wanted to get going right away.” Although Kindler will have new responsibilities as head coach, she said she expects to continue the coaching methods she employed as assistant head coach. “My role in recruiting will increase,” she said. “My role [in coaching] will be relatively the same – I’ll still be choreographing routines on beam and floor, and I’ll coordinate workouts and programs,” she said. Interim Athletic Director Elaine Hieber said Kindler was chosen from three candidates. She said the athletic department knew Kindler’s experience in NCAA gymnastics made her a strong possibility, but they still conducted an open nationwide search. “We wanted to see who was out there, [but] K.J. was a viable candidate from the beginning,” she said. Hieber said Kindler was chosen for a variety of reasons, including her work on recruitment this summer, her being a technically strong coach and her ability to continue having a strong program. Kindler’s eight years of experience with the ISU gymnastics team will make the switch to a new head coach easier, team captains Lauren Goldberg and Jessy Smith said during practice Wednesday afternoon. “We were excited because we knew she’d be a great coach. She did so much work that it won’t be much of a transition,” said Goldberg, junior in journalism and mass communication. “It could have been completely different if the new coach had been from somewhere else.” Leadership from the two team captains has been a help to Kindler. She said they have been key in keeping things in line as she has assumed her new role. “We’re always there for her to help her,” said Smith, junior in exercise and sports science. The gymnastics team will be facing new challenges this year, Kindler said. After winning the Big 12 Championship last season and placing eighth in the NCAA Championship last season, Kindler said the team is facing new challenges this season. “We’re maintaining a level instead of achieving a level. That’s a challenge itself. . The pressures are different for them,” she said. However, she said their goals remain the same, and they have continued to improve every year. Personal experience is aiding Kindler in her new job. She was the first ISU gymnast to make it to the regional NCAA regional championships in all-around competition. Along with Assistant Coach Lou Ball, Kindler runs the Cardinal Gymnastics Academy in Ames. The gymnastics team still is looking to fill the two assistant coaching positions. Ball is applying for the position.