For the Third Year in a Row, Oklahoma Sooners Softball Coach Patty Gasso Is Named the AP Women’s Softball Coach of the Year
In the realm of college athletics, dominance is a term often used but rarely sustained. Yet for Patty Gasso and the Oklahoma Sooners softball program, dominance doesn’t just define an era—it defines a dynasty. In a move that surprised few but inspired many, Gasso was named the AP Women’s Softball Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season, a distinction that further cements her legacy as one of the most successful and influential coaches in the history of the sport.
This prestigious honor comes in the wake of yet another banner year for the Sooners, who have set the standard for excellence, culture, and consistency under Gasso’s visionary leadership.
A Dynasty in Full Bloom
To understand why Gasso was selected once again, one need only look at the trajectory of her program. Under her stewardship, Oklahoma softball has become synonymous with sustained excellence. In the 2025 season, the Sooners continued their unprecedented run, finishing with a staggering 56-3 record, winning their 14th Big 12 championship, and securing the top seed heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Their dominance wasn’t just statistical—it was emotional, cultural, and competitive. The Sooners exuded confidence, played with joy, and exhibited discipline that reflected their coach’s ethos. Whether it was a clutch double play, a game-saving diving catch, or a walk-off home run, Gasso’s team seemed always prepared for the moment.
Gasso’s fingerprints were all over every inning. Her unparalleled preparation, meticulous attention to detail, and emotional intelligence have built a foundation that continues to produce All-Americans, professional prospects, and, above all, empowered women.
The Legacy of Patty Gasso
Now in her 31st season at the helm of Oklahoma softball, Gasso’s resume reads like a fantasy. She has won eight national championships, including three in a row from 2022 to 2024, with a fourth potentially on the horizon in 2025. Her career winning percentage is over .800, and she has produced more All-Americans than any coach currently active in NCAA Division I softball.
What makes Gasso’s repeated recognition particularly special is the way she has evolved with the game. As softball has become more competitive, analytics-driven, and media-covered, Gasso has remained ahead of the curve. She has seamlessly balanced tradition with innovation, always staying true to the values that brought her to this point while embracing new strategies, technologies, and voices.
In a recent press conference, Gasso humbly addressed the honor:
“This award is not just about me. It’s about the staff, the players, and the entire university that supports what we do. I’m blessed to coach at a place where excellence is expected and supported at every level.”
Leadership Beyond the Dugout
While wins and championships are the easiest metrics by which to judge a coach’s success, Gasso’s impact extends far beyond the lines of the softball field. She’s been a mentor, a teacher, a mother figure, and a motivator for hundreds of young women. Her emphasis on character, faith, and personal growth has turned her players into well-rounded leaders both in sport and in life.
Gasso regularly invites speakers from all walks of life to engage with her team. From former Olympians to business executives, her players are exposed to voices that inspire them to think bigger than just the next pitch. She places a premium on mental health, spiritual wellness, and community service—ensuring that when players leave her program, they’re ready for more than just a professional softball career.
This holistic approach to coaching is one of the many reasons the AP has honored her three years in a row. She doesn’t just coach softball—she develops human beings.
A 2025 Season for the Ages
This year’s team may go down as one of Gasso’s most talented units. Powered by a lethal mix of veteran leadership and explosive youth, the Sooners have dominated every major category. Their offense, headlined by All-American sluggers Tiare Jennings and Jayda Coleman, averaged 7.4 runs per game, while the pitching staff, anchored by Nicole May and Jordy Bahl, boasted a sub-1.50 ERA.
Their sweep of the Big 12 tournament and numerous comeback victories throughout the season reflected not only talent, but mental fortitude—a hallmark of Gasso-led teams.
Perhaps the defining moment of the season came during a midseason matchup against a top-ranked SEC opponent. Down three runs in the final inning, Gasso’s team rallied, sparked by a fiery dugout speech and a gutsy squeeze bunt play that caught the opponent off guard. The comeback win captured national headlines and underscored why Gasso’s in-game instincts remain second to none.
The Evolution of a Coaching Legend
When Gasso first took over the program in 1995, Oklahoma softball was hardly a national power. Facilities were modest, budgets were limited, and the program had no significant hardware to its name. What she brought was vision, grit, and an unshakable belief that the Sooners could become the standard.
Fast forward three decades, and Oklahoma’s Love’s Field is one of the premier facilities in the country, recruiting classes are consistently ranked in the top five, and Gasso’s blueprint is now the model that others seek to emulate.
She’s not just winning games—she’s building a legacy brick by brick, and the latest AP honor is another stone in her growing monument to greatness.
The Numbers Speak Loudly
Just how dominant has Gasso been? Consider these numbers:
- 8 NCAA Championships (2000, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- 16 Women’s College World Series appearances
- Over 1,500 career wins
- Multiple National Coach of the Year honors from NFCA and ESPNW
- A record-breaking 53-game win streak from 2022–2023
Few coaches in any sport—let alone softball—can claim such a resume. Her AP Women’s Softball Coach of the Year three-peat merely adds to the accolades and positions her among the greatest coaches in college sports history.
What’s Next for Gasso and the Sooners?
While speculation swirls about how long Gasso will continue to coach, she has made it clear that her passion for the game burns as hot as ever.
“I still love what I do,” she said in a recent interview. “Every season brings new challenges, and I thrive on that. As long as I feel I’m making a difference in these young women’s lives, I’ll be right here.”
With the NCAA Tournament looming and the Sooners in prime position to make another championship run, Gasso’s focus remains squarely on the task at hand. One more title would give her a jaw-dropping fifth in six years, an achievement that would put her among the Mount Rushmore of college coaching legends—regardless of sport or gender.
Reactions Across the Softball World
The news of Gasso’s third straight AP honor was met with widespread applause. Fellow coaches, players, analysts, and alumni praised her leadership, humility, and relentless pursuit of greatness.
Former Oklahoma star Keilani Ricketts, now a coach herself, tweeted:
“So proud of Coach Gasso. She’s the GOAT for a reason. Her leadership changed my life and so many others. #WellDeserved”
Meanwhile, ESPN’s lead softball analyst Jessica Mendoza called the honor “a no-brainer,” adding:
“Patty Gasso is more than a coach—she’s a movement. What she’s done for this sport and for women’s athletics at large is nothing short of historic.