In what has become a familiar ritual of excellence, Oklahoma’s Patty Gasso has once again proven why she is considered one of the greatest coaches in college softball history. But this year, the accolades come with a new twist. In her first season coaching the Sooners in the vaunted Southeastern Conference (SEC), Gasso has been named the 2025 SEC Coach of the Year — a testament to her leadership in navigating a reloaded roster, daunting new competition, and the weight of legacy.
For Gasso, this is far from her first coaching award. But earning it in the SEC, the most competitive softball conference in America, carries special significance. It marks a powerful statement: Oklahoma’s dominance isn’t confined to the Big 12. It travels — and thrives — even under the microscope of the nation’s toughest stage.
A Season of Transition — and Triumph
Oklahoma’s transition into the SEC was met with equal parts anticipation and skepticism. Critics questioned whether the Sooners’ stranglehold over the Big 12 would translate into similar supremacy against SEC heavyweights like Alabama, Florida, LSU, and Tennessee. Adding to the uncertainty was the graduation of several key players from their 2024 Women’s College World Series-winning roster. But Gasso and her staff were undeterred.
Rather than view the roster turnover as a challenge, Gasso embraced it as an opportunity to retool. “Every year presents a new identity,” she said during preseason media days. “It’s about creating synergy, regardless of who’s on the roster. You lead with culture, and success follows.”
And follow it did.
The Sooners finished their inaugural SEC regular season with a dominant 20-4 conference record and an overall record of 48-6, clinching a share of the SEC regular-season title with LSU. They defeated top-10 teams on the road, protected their home turf at Love’s Field with an unblemished conference record, and led the league in home runs, ERA, and fielding percentage.
Building a New Core
While many expected a transitional year, Gasso had no intention of rebuilding — she reloaded. The Sooners’ lineup featured a mix of transfer portal additions, returning role players, and star freshmen who flourished under her guidance.
Leading the offense was sophomore slugger Jocelyn Powers, a breakout star who hit .389 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs. Transfer catcher Kayla Mendoza, formerly of Arizona State, brought leadership and grit, while freshman sensation Rylie Johnson — the No. 1 outfielder in the 2024 recruiting class — electrified fans with her speed and defensive prowess.
The pitching staff also underwent a makeover. With Jordy Bahl transferring out the previous year and Nicole May turning pro, Gasso relied on junior left-hander Ava Thompson and sophomore righty Bella Reyes, who combined for 35 wins and maintained a team ERA of just 1.98. Their development under pitching coach Jennifer Rocha highlighted Gasso’s ability to surround herself with elite assistants and elevate talent quickly.
“Our chemistry this year was the secret sauce,” Gasso said. “When you lose as many veterans as we did, it forces everyone to grow faster. But it also creates unity. This group took ownership early.”
Tactical Brilliance on Display
Gasso’s hallmark as a coach has always been her attention to detail and ability to make adjustments in-game. That brilliance was never more evident than in Oklahoma’s dramatic 3-2 extra-innings win over Florida in Gainesville, a key midseason victory that solidified their status as SEC contenders.
Down 2-0 heading into the sixth, Gasso dialed up a squeeze bunt to score the Sooners’ first run, then trusted her bench to deliver — which they did, with sophomore pinch hitter Lily Tran blasting a game-tying homer. In the ninth, Gasso called a hit-and-run that led to the go-ahead run, while Thompson shut the door in the bottom half.
“She sees the game five steps ahead of everybody,” Mendoza said. “You don’t even question the call — you just execute, because she’s usually right.”
Gasso’s tactical mindset also extended to the bullpen. Known for her masterful use of matchups, she frequently deployed split-inning strategies, maximizing her pitchers’ effectiveness against specific batting orders.
Her blend of analytics, intuition, and feel for momentum set her apart in a league where the margin for error is razor-thin.
Culture Over Everything
While strategy wins games, Gasso’s greatest strength remains her ability to create a culture of accountability, belief, and mental toughness. This culture — famously built on her “Championship Mindset” pillars — proved crucial as the Sooners faced new road environments and battled adversity.
Losses to LSU and Tennessee early in the season could have derailed a less resilient squad. Instead, they became turning points. Gasso held a now-famous team meeting in Baton Rouge after a 7-3 loss where she challenged her players not just to respond, but to “own” the SEC stage.
“Coach Gasso doesn’t tolerate excuses,” Rylie Johnson shared. “She teaches us that we don’t flinch. That mindset helped us win games we probably shouldn’t have.”
Indeed, the Sooners went 16-2 after that meeting, including sweeps of Arkansas and Texas A&M and a top-5 showdown win over Alabama.
Her culture isn’t just about hard work — it’s about joy, too. Gasso encourages her players to celebrate each other, play with freedom, and honor the game. That unique balance of intensity and positivity has made her program one of the most attractive in the nation.
Recognition From Across the Conference
Patty Gasso being named SEC Coach of the Year was not merely a formality; it was a resounding recognition by her peers of what she accomplished. SEC coaches and administrators praised her not only for the Sooners’ record, but for how smoothly they integrated into the conference, both competitively and culturally.
“She didn’t just bring a good team into the SEC — she brought a new standard,” said Alabama’s Patrick Murphy. “What Patty has done this year is nothing short of extraordinary.”
LSU coach Beth Torina echoed that sentiment: “People may have expected them to contend, but the way she built cohesion in such a short time, with new players, and in a new league? That takes more than talent — it takes leadership.”
Gasso joins elite company with the honor. She is only the third coach to win Coach of the Year honors in both the Big 12 and SEC, alongside softball legends like Tim Walton (Florida) and Louie Berndt (Missouri).
The Road Ahead
With the SEC Tournament underway and the NCAA postseason looming, Oklahoma remains firmly in the hunt for yet another national championship. If they succeed, it would be Gasso’s eighth national title — and perhaps her most satisfying.
But even if the season ended today, it would already stand as one of the most impressive coaching feats in recent memory. The fact that the Sooners are SEC co-champions, top-ranked nationally, and firing on all cylinders is a direct result of Gasso’s vision, adaptability, and commitment to excellence.
As she continues to build her legacy, one thing is certain: Patty Gasso’s impact on college softball is not defined by geography or conference. Whether in the Big 12 or SEC, she raises the bar for everyone — and then clears it with grace.
Legacy in Motion
At 63, Gasso shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, this season has reinvigorated her.
“This was one of the most fulfilling seasons of my career,” she said after clinching the SEC title. “It pushed me. It made me grow. And I loved every second of it.”
For Oklahoma fans, her Coach of the Year honor is simply another reminder of what they’ve long known: Patty Gasso is not just building a dynasty — she is the dynasty.
With a new era dawning in Norman and the SEC finally welcoming its newest titan, one truth now echoes louder than ever across the college softball landscape: where Patty Gasso goes, greatness follows. And now, she’s doing it in the SEC — the toughest neighborhood in the sport.