No matter the sport, Patty Gasso is in a league of her own as a coach.
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced on Tuesday that Gasso, OU's softball coach, earned College Coach of the Year. The award recognizes coaches from all Olympic sports, not just softball.
According to the USOPC press release, the award "is based on two key factors: the quality of coaching or service demonstrated by the nominee and the overall quality of the nomination submitted by the NGB."
Patty Gasso wins College Coach of the Year from U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee
It's no surprise the Olympic committee thinks highly of Gasso considering she was recently appointed to lead USA Softball through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which will host softball at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, home of the Women's College World Series.
That role will start when Gasso leads the USA Softball Women’s National Team into the 2025 World Games in August in China. Her first 15-player roster includes four players Gasso coached at OU.
As a college coach, though, not many can match Gasso. During the past year she was recognized for, the Sooners won their fourth national championship in a row at the end of last season. OU is the only softball program to ever accomplish that feat.
Overall, Gasso has led the Sooners to eight national titles during her 31-season tenure. That also includes 17 appearances in the WCWS, and likely an 18th at the end of this season with the Sooners ranked No. 1 in every major poll at 42-5.
Gasso is currently leading the Sooners through their first round in the SEC and has them atop conference standings with one week left in the regular season.
When OU left the Big 12 last year, Gasso was the all-time winningest coach, regardless of sport or gender, and had claimed 15 regular-season conference titles and nine tournament titles in the Big 12.
During her career, Gasso has also been named Big 12 Coach of the Year 15 times. Her first SEC honor could be coming soon.
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