One of all-star cheerleading’s most respected veteran coaches is making a major move ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Kevin Tonner announced this week that he is resigning from Woodlands Elite after 25 years with the organization. Shortly after the announcement, Prodigy All Stars introduced Tonner as the newest addition to its coaching staff.
Tonner shared the news in a public statement posted to social media, calling the decision one he “never anticipated” having to make.
“After 25 years with Woodlands Elite, I have made the difficult decision to resign,” Tonner wrote. “Unfortunately, the company’s current direction no longer aligns with my aspirations.”
He also stated that despite “many lengthy conversations,” both sides were unable to reach an agreement regarding his future within the company.
Tonner had been part of Woodlands Elite since the beginning and later served as the program’s all-star director. During his time with the organization, he helped establish Woodlands Elite as one of the most successful and recognizable programs in the sport. His influence reached across generations of athletes and some of the gym’s most accomplished teams.
Over more than two decades, Tonner built a résumé that includes a Cheerleading Worlds gold medal, multiple silver and bronze medal finishes, and 14 NCA national championships across Level 5 and Level 6 divisions.
His departure marks the end of a significant era for Woodlands Elite, a program that has remained a consistent presence at the highest levels of all-star cheerleading competition.
Within hours of Tonner’s announcement, Prodigy All Stars publicly welcomed him to the organization with a social media graphic introducing him as an all-star coach.
In the announcement, Prodigy highlighted Tonner’s championship experience, leadership, and athlete development background. The organization also noted his credentials as a certified personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist with extensive knowledge in strength training and athlete performance.
The move immediately becomes one of the most notable coaching changes of the offseason. Coaching transitions involving long-standing leaders often impact team culture, athlete movement, and program direction, particularly when they involve figures closely associated with a gym’s identity and competitive success.
For Prodigy All Stars, the addition brings a veteran coach with national-level experience and deep roots in the all-star industry. For Woodlands Elite athletes, alumni, and families, the announcement closes a chapter tied closely to the program’s growth and history.
As offseason movement continues throughout the industry, Tonner’s next chapter at Prodigy All Stars will remain one of the sport’s most closely watched storylines heading into the new season.
