Oklahoma’s Patty Gasso Named SEC Coach of the Year After Leading Reloaded Sooners to Success in Debut SEC Season
NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma softball head coach Patty Gasso has been named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Coach of the Year after guiding the Sooners to a dominant regular season in their first year competing in the powerhouse league.
In what many predicted to be a transition year, Gasso orchestrated a seamless move from the Big 12 to the SEC, leading a retooled Sooners roster to yet another top national ranking and a share of the SEC regular-season championship. The honor marks another accolade in Gasso’s storied career, which includes multiple national titles and over 1,500 career wins.
Despite losing several key contributors from last season’s Women’s College World Series championship team, Gasso reloaded her roster with a mix of experienced returners, key transfers, and standout freshmen. That strategic blend paid off immediately, as the Sooners finished the SEC regular season with a 21-3 conference record and an overall mark of 49-6 heading into postseason play.
“We knew this would be a challenge, moving into a league as deep and competitive as the SEC,” Gasso said. “But this team embraced the opportunity, stayed committed to our culture, and just played Oklahoma softball.”
The Sooners opened SEC play with a statement series win against Florida and never looked back, earning victories over conference powerhouses such as LSU, Alabama, and Tennessee. Their dominance extended to both sides of the ball, ranking among the nation’s leaders in batting average, home runs, ERA, and fielding percentage.
Gasso’s leadership has long been credited for establishing a winning culture rooted in discipline, development, and resilience. That culture proved essential in navigating the new environments, travel demands, and competitive challenges presented by the SEC.
Several Sooners also earned individual honors under Gasso’s tutelage, including All-SEC selections and national Player of the Year finalists, further reinforcing the program’s elite status.
This marks Gasso’s first SEC Coach of the Year award and adds to her long list of coaching honors, including 15 Big 12 Coach of the Year titles and six national championships. Her ability to adapt, motivate, and evolve has made her not only one of the most respected coaches in softball, but in all of college athletics.
As the Sooners prepare for the SEC Tournament and a deep NCAA postseason run, Gasso and her team have sent a clear message: Oklahoma softball’s excellence transcends conferences.
“Our standards haven’t changed,” Gasso said. “We’re just getting started in the SEC.”
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