Why Jennie Baranczyk of OU basketball feels at ease leading the team against Iowa in March Madness

As the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament approaches its high-stakes final rounds, March Madness transforms into a stage where only the most poised and resilient coaches can succeed. For Jennie Baranczyk, the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, one of the best attributes she brings to her role is her calm under pressure. Her leadership style has not only earned her respect from players, fellow coaches, and fans, but it has also created an environment where her team thrives—especially when it comes to performing in high-pressure scenarios like March Madness.

The Sooners’ journey through the tournament has had its share of challenges, and with a high-profile match against the Iowa Hawkeyes looming, Baranczyk faces an intense test. Yet, as March Madness continues to build its pressure cooker atmosphere, the Oklahoma coach feels an extraordinary sense of calm and assurance. Why? It’s not only because of her extensive experience but also because of the unique culture she’s built at Oklahoma, which empowers her players to perform at their best in the most nerve-racking moments.

As Baranczyk prepares her team to face one of the nation’s top teams, Iowa, she reflects on the journey that brought her to this moment. Her leadership, strategic insight, and belief in her players are key to understanding why she feels at ease with the challenge ahead.

The Journey to Leading Oklahoma

Jennie Baranczyk’s path to becoming the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners has been marked by a career dedicated to excellence and leadership. Before taking the reins at Oklahoma in 2021, Baranczyk was the head coach at Drake University, where she enjoyed significant success. Under her leadership, the Bulldogs became a perennial powerhouse in the Missouri Valley Conference, clinching multiple regular-season titles, conference championships, and NCAA Tournament appearances. Her work at Drake was a testament to her coaching ability, and it didn’t take long for Oklahoma to recognize her potential to turn their women’s basketball program into a national contender.

Baranczyk’s approach to building successful programs revolves around creating a culture of trust, hard work, and accountability. Her emphasis on developing players both on and off the court has been crucial in her ability to maintain a steady hand during high-pressure situations. As Oklahoma’s head coach, she has continued to foster that environment, turning the Sooners into a formidable force in college basketball.

Her ability to build rapport with her players is one of her key attributes. At Oklahoma, Baranczyk has created a program where players feel supported and empowered to take ownership of their success. This empowering culture has undoubtedly helped the Sooners remain competitive, even against the nation’s elite teams.

The Importance of Leadership in High-Stress Moments

March Madness is the culmination of an entire season’s worth of work, and with the spotlight firmly on the tournament, the pressure to succeed is immense. For any coach, the ability to remain composed and focus on the big picture is crucial. For Baranczyk, the pressure of March Madness has only reinforced her ability to lead with clarity and confidence. Leading her team against Iowa—one of the most talented and experienced teams in the country—is no small feat, but Baranczyk knows how to thrive in these situations.

Her sense of ease stems from her leadership style. Baranczyk has built a program where players understand the stakes, but they also know that the key to success lies in trusting the process, staying present, and focusing on what they can control. Her calm demeanor provides a sense of stability and confidence, which in turn allows her players to play with freedom and confidence.

“I always tell my players to focus on the task at hand and not get caught up in the moment,” Baranczyk explains. “March Madness can feel like a whirlwind, but if we stick to what we’ve practiced and trust in one another, we can handle whatever comes our way.”

This mindset is crucial for a team facing an Iowa squad that has been one of the nation’s most consistent performers in recent years. Iowa’s roster is filled with top-tier talent, led by star player Caitlin Clark, a dynamic scoring machine capable of changing the outcome of any game. But Baranczyk’s approach to preparing her team for this challenge is to focus on execution rather than the magnitude of the game itself.

“I try not to overemphasize the opponent,” Baranczyk admits. “It’s easy to get caught up in how good Iowa is, how great Caitlin Clark is, but we have to control what we can. It’s about execution, taking care of the basketball, being disciplined, and playing our style of basketball.”

The Strength of Oklahoma’s Roster

While the spotlight will inevitably be on Iowa’s star player, Caitlin Clark, Baranczyk knows that her own team has the talent to go toe-to-toe with any opponent. Oklahoma’s roster is stacked with a mix of experience and youth, with players who have proven themselves capable of competing at the highest level.

At the center of this roster is Taylor Robertson, one of the most prolific scorers in the program’s history. Her ability to shoot the ball from anywhere on the court makes her a game-changer for the Sooners. Robertson’s experience and leadership have been invaluable to the team, and her skill set provides Baranczyk with a go-to player when the offense needs a spark.

Alongside Robertson is a dynamic group of players like Madi Williams, who provides a versatile scoring option, and Nevaeh Tot, a defensive standout who is capable of guarding some of the toughest players in the country. With such depth and talent, Baranczyk feels confident that her team is more than capable of handling the pressure of facing a team like Iowa.

“The beauty of this team is that we have so many players who can step up,” Baranczyk says. “We have multiple players who can contribute on both ends of the floor. In games like this, it’s important for everyone to be ready to make an impact, and I have no doubt that we will.”

This versatility is key to Oklahoma’s success, as it allows the team to adapt to different playing styles and matchups. The Sooners can play a fast-paced game, use their shooting to stretch the floor, or slow things down and rely on their defense. Regardless of the situation, Baranczyk has the luxury of a roster capable of executing her game plan, which provides a sense of confidence heading into the showdown with Iowa.

The Mental Approach: Focusing on the Process, Not the Result

One of the things that stands out most about Baranczyk’s leadership is her ability to get her players to focus on the process rather than the result. March Madness is often defined by dramatic moments and high-pressure situations, but Baranczyk’s approach is to strip away the outside noise and focus on the fundamentals of the game. She instills in her players the importance of controlling what they can—whether it’s executing their offense, communicating on defense, or playing with confidence—and not getting bogged down by the weight of the tournament.

“You can’t worry about the outcome before the game is played,” Baranczyk says. “It’s all about controlling what we can control—our effort, our energy, and our focus. If we do those things, the result will take care of itself.”

This philosophy is particularly important when facing a team like Iowa. The Hawkeyes are known for their high-scoring offense and ability to dominate games, especially when Caitlin Clark is in top form. However, Baranczyk knows that focusing too much on stopping Clark or trying to match Iowa’s pace could lead her team to become overwhelmed. Instead, her emphasis is on playing Oklahoma basketball and letting the results come naturally.

“We can’t be distracted by the hype of the game,” she says. “It’s about staying in the moment, executing our game plan, and playing with confidence. Our players have worked hard to get to this point, and they’re ready.”

Building Confidence Through Preparation

Baranczyk’s calm demeanor is also a product of her meticulous preparation. Her experience as a coach has taught her that the key to handling the pressure of March Madness is preparing thoroughly in advance. Whether it’s breaking down film, analyzing matchups, or creating game plans, Baranczyk has instilled in her players the importance of being prepared for any scenario.

“We spend a lot of time making sure we’re ready for any situation that might come up,” Baranczyk explains. “The key to success in games like this is being able to adjust and stay composed. We make sure that everyone knows their role and understands the game plan. The more prepared we are, the more confident we’ll feel going into the game.”

This preparation, combined with the trust that Baranczyk has built with her players, allows her to stay calm on the sidelines. She knows that her team has done the work, and now it’s about trusting the process and executing on the court.

A Confident Coach Ready for the Challenge

As Oklahoma gears up to face Iowa in one of the biggest games of their season, Jennie Baranczyk feels at ease because she knows that she has prepared her team for this moment. Her leadership style, built on trust, confidence, and a focus on the process, has provided the Sooners with the tools they need to succeed. While the challenges of facing a team like Iowa are undeniable, Baranczyk’s calm demeanor and strategic insights give the Sooners an edge as they enter March Madness.

With a talented roster, a well-prepared game plan, and a coach who remains composed in the most stressful of circumstances, Oklahoma is in prime position to compete at the highest level. Baranczyk’s ability to lead with clarity, focus, and belief in her players is why she feels confident heading into one of the biggest games of her career.

In March Madness, anything can happen—but under Jennie Baranczyk’s leadership, the Sooners are ready to make a statement.