ESPN: Keilani Ricketts Appointed Associate Head Coach at Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla. — ESPN reports that former Oklahoma softball star Keilani Ricketts has been appointed as the new associate head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners softball program. The announcement marks a homecoming for one of the most decorated athletes in collegiate softball history and signals a new chapter in her already impressive career.
Ricketts, a two-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and four-time All-American, will join head coach Patty Gasso’s staff as the Sooners look to continue their dominance in NCAA softball. She replaces longtime assistant coach Melyssa Lombardi, who accepted a head coaching position at another program earlier this month.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Keilani back to Norman,” Gasso said in a statement. “Her knowledge of the game, her championship experience, and her connection to our program make her a perfect fit for this role. She brings not only elite playing experience but also years of coaching and mentoring that will immediately benefit our athletes.”
Ricketts played at Oklahoma from 2010 to 2013, leading the Sooners to back-to-back Women’s College World Series championship appearances and winning the national title in 2013. She finished her college career with a 133-35 record as a pitcher, 1,620 strikeouts, and a 1.65 ERA, while also batting .308 with 50 home runs and 200 RBIs. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2013 Women’s College World Series.
After her storied college career, Ricketts represented Team USA and played professionally, while also building a strong coaching résumé. Most recently, she served as an assistant coach at the University of Mississippi, helping guide the Rebels to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and mentoring a talented pitching staff.
“I’m honored and excited to return to the place that shaped me as both a player and a person,” Ricketts said in an ESPN interview. “Oklahoma Softball has always been home to me, and I can’t wait to contribute to the championship culture that Coach Gasso and her staff have built. It’s a dream come true to be back in Norman and give back to a program that gave me so much.”
Her return comes at a time when the Sooners are once again vying for another national title. Oklahoma has won seven national championships under Gasso, including three consecutive titles from 2021 to 2023, and continues to attract top-tier talent from across the country.
Current players and alumni took to social media to celebrate the news of Ricketts’ hiring, with many expressing their excitement about her influence on the next generation of Sooners. Former teammate Lauren Chamberlain tweeted, “Couldn’t think of a better hire. Keilani is a legend on the field and a leader off it.”
Ricketts’ addition to the coaching staff is expected to bolster Oklahoma’s already dominant pitching program and serve as an inspiration to student-athletes. With her deep roots in the program and extensive experience at every level of the sport, her impact is likely to be immediate and far-reaching.
As ESPN continues its coverage of the NCAA softball season, all eyes will be on Oklahoma — and now on Keilani Ricketts — as they pursue further glory in one of college sports’ most competitive and compelling arenas.
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