Oklahoma City’s basketball scene is being enriched by Mark Daigneault, head coach of the Thunder, who boasts the best NBA coaching record this season. Interestingly, within his own home, he holds only the second-best coaching record.
Ashley Kerr Daigneault, Mark’s wife, serves as an assistant coach for Oklahoma’s women’s gymnastics team. With an outstanding season record of 33-2, her team clinched yet another national championship—marking their third in the last four years. As Mark leads the Thunder, currently top-seeded, into the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, Ashley revels in her seventh career national championship win, achieved both with Florida and Oklahoma.
Mark Daigneault, ever supportive and vocal about Ashley’s achievements, often shares his admiration. “Between my wife and I, she is undoubtedly the more accomplished and impressive coach. She is the real deal,” he remarks.
Their relationship blossomed from ties to Florida: Mark, who originally hails from Massachusetts, was once a student manager under Jim Calhoun at Connecticut, a position that saw him part of the 2004 NCAA championship-winning team. Afterward, he embarked on his coaching journey at Holy Cross, later joining Billy Donovan’s staff at Florida. Conversely, Ashley, a Florida native, excelled as a gymnast with the Gators, earning All-SEC academic honors throughout her tenure. Post-graduation, she transitioned into coaching roles, eventually becoming an assistant.
Their romance took a major turn when Mark received an offer to coach Oklahoma City’s G League team, the Blue. Despite Ashley having a teaching role in Gainesville, she encouraged Mark’s move: “The OKC job was a no-brainer for him. I was like, ‘You have to do it. You have to,’” Ashley recalled.
Initially sustaining a long-distance relationship, Ashley finally relocated to Oklahoma following an opening in the Sooners as a volunteer, a move that aligned perfectly with her career aspirations. Her consistent efforts paid off when NCAA allowed volunteer positions to be transformed into full-time roles. Meanwhile, Mark advanced from the Thunder’s G League team to the main roster, joining under the franchise’s banner as they wed and started a family.
“She possesses a unique ability to connect with our student-athletes on a personal level. She exemplifies exceptional leadership,” praised Oklahoma coach K.J. Kindler upon promoting Kerr.
At home, Mark humorously credits their toddlers, aged 3 and 2, as the “real coaches”, quipping that he and Ashley are merely surviving their reign. The youngest was born amid a whirlwind of events—just after the Thunder’s elimination from the play-in tournament and coinciding with Oklahoma’s compete in gymnastics NCAA final. Mark rushed to join Ashley in Fort Worth just in time for the birth, later watching the Sooners secure their title.
Being married to another coach such as Ashley, Mark enjoys mutual understanding regarding demanding schedules and lengthy travels. However, they emphasize the importance of prioritizing family time once home. “There’s certainly much more that defines our relationship with our kids now. When we’re home, we strive to be truly present and not let work extend into our family sphere,” Daigneault shared.
Reflecting on his path, Mark acknowledges the fortuitous timing of all the events—choices that led him to Florida, meeting Ashley, and building a life in Oklahoma, bringing him to the NBA Finals. “If my life were replayed 10 million times—now playing in the NBA Finals, I’ll say 10 million—this would only happen once. I’m continuously grateful,” Daigneault concluded.