Porter Moser seemed like the perfect hire for OU basketball. Time to try again. | Mussatto

The college basketball landscape is dynamic, ever-changing, and full of both opportunities and challenges for the coaches who take on the responsibility of leading their programs to success. For the University of Oklahoma (OU), the hiring of Porter Moser as head coach was initially seen as an exciting new chapter for the program, one that had the potential to usher in a bright future. However, as time has passed, it has become increasingly clear that Moser’s tenure at OU has not lived up to the high expectations that surrounded his arrival. With mounting pressure and a sense of stagnation hanging over the program, the question on many minds is whether it’s time for the university to look for a fresh direction.

In this piece, we will take a closer look at Porter Moser’s hiring, examine the performance and trajectory of the OU basketball program under his leadership, and discuss whether it might be time for the Sooners to part ways with Moser and pursue a new coaching hire. While Moser’s arrival was filled with hope and optimism, his tenure has not yet brought the success that many envisioned. As such, it might be time to reassess the future of the program and whether a change is necessary to reinvigorate the team and its fanbase.

The Hiring of Porter Moser: A New Era?

When Porter Moser was hired as the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners in 2021, there was palpable excitement surrounding the move. Moser had just come off a wildly successful stint as the head coach at Loyola-Chicago, where he led the Ramblers to the Final Four in 2018, making them one of the most memorable Cinderella stories in recent NCAA Tournament history. His success with a mid-major program demonstrated his ability to build a cohesive, disciplined team that could compete with the best in the country.

For many OU fans, Moser’s hiring seemed like the perfect fit. He was known for his strong defensive schemes, the emphasis he placed on team basketball, and his ability to develop players into solid contributors. Moser’s style of play also seemed well-suited to the Big 12 Conference, a league filled with elite programs where defense and grit are paramount.

In addition to his success on the court, Moser’s reputation as a recruiter also excited fans. He had proven himself to be capable of attracting top-tier talent to Loyola-Chicago and developing that talent into championship-caliber players. With OU’s resources, facilities, and support, the thought was that Moser could elevate the Sooners into the upper echelon of the Big 12 and eventually into national contention. After all, the program had a rich basketball history and a passionate fanbase, and Moser’s leadership was viewed as a potential catalyst for a new era of success.

Early Hopes and Enthusiasm

The early days of Moser’s tenure at OU were filled with optimism. In his first season, the team showed promise, even though it was clear that Moser was still in the process of implementing his system. The Sooners were competitive, and there were flashes of the defensive intensity that Moser had been known for at Loyola-Chicago. However, it became apparent that Moser’s system was going to take time to implement effectively, especially with the roster he inherited and the level of competition in the Big 12.

Despite the challenges, the Sooners were able to stay competitive in the Big 12 and show signs of growth. The team had some impressive individual performances, and Moser was able to introduce his defensive philosophies to the squad. For fans, the first season felt like the beginning of a promising rebuilding project, one that could eventually pay off in the long run.

However, as the seasons went on, the excitement surrounding Moser’s arrival began to fade. While there were some bright spots, the Sooners were unable to consistently compete at a high level within the Big 12. The program was plagued by inconsistency, particularly on offense, and the defensive intensity that Moser had been known for at Loyola-Chicago seemed to be lacking. More importantly, OU began to struggle in key conference matchups, and their NCAA Tournament hopes appeared to slip further away with each passing season.

Struggles in the Big 12: Inconsistent Performance

One of the major issues that has plagued Moser’s tenure at OU is the lack of consistent success in the Big 12 Conference. The Big 12 is one of the toughest leagues in college basketball, home to powerhouses like Kansas, Baylor, and Texas Tech. However, despite the level of competition, Moser’s teams have struggled to consistently stay competitive against the league’s elite programs.

Over the past few seasons, OU has had difficulty stringing together a series of wins against top-tier opponents. The Sooners have found themselves on the wrong side of blowouts and have had trouble closing out games against ranked teams. While Moser has shown that he can get his team to play hard and compete, it has often been the lack of offensive execution and an inability to make key plays in clutch situations that have led to disappointing results.

It’s clear that Moser has faced challenges with adjusting to the level of talent and competition that comes with coaching in a power conference like the Big 12. While his teams at Loyola-Chicago were known for their toughness, their success was often driven by a balanced offense and defense, with players who could execute at a high level. At OU, Moser has struggled to develop that level of execution, and the team has not had the offensive firepower to keep up with the high-scoring teams in the Big 12.

In addition, the Sooners have struggled with recruiting. While Moser has landed some solid recruits, he has yet to bring in a true game-changer—a player who can elevate the program and make an immediate impact on the national stage. The lack of top-tier recruits has been a consistent issue for OU, and it has made it difficult for Moser to compete with the established powers in the conference.

Player Development and Offensive Struggles

Another area where Moser has faced criticism is in player development. While Moser is known for his ability to develop players into strong, disciplined contributors, the development of key players at OU has not been as evident. Some of the top players on the roster have not fully blossomed under Moser’s leadership, and the offensive system has often been stagnant and inefficient.

For a coach like Moser, who built his reputation on getting the most out of his players, it has been disappointing to see some of the talent at OU underperform. While there are undoubtedly challenges when coaching in a high-major conference like the Big 12, Moser’s inability to get the best out of his players, particularly on the offensive end, has been one of the most glaring issues.

The Sooners have had trouble generating consistent scoring, and Moser’s offensive system has often looked disjointed. While the defense has been somewhat respectable, it hasn’t been enough to overcome the lack of offensive firepower. For a program that has aspirations of competing in the NCAA Tournament, it’s difficult to build a successful team when the offense struggles to put points on the board against high-quality competition.

A Coaching Change: Is It Time to Try Again?

Given the struggles that Porter Moser has faced during his time at OU, many are beginning to wonder if it’s time for the program to make a change. While Moser has shown that he can be an effective coach, the lack of consistent success in the Big 12, the struggles with player development, and the offensive woes all point to a potential need for a fresh direction.

OU has a storied basketball history, and the program has the resources and support to compete at a high level in the Big 12. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Moser may not be the right fit to lead the Sooners back to national prominence. The program has stagnated under his leadership, and the future appears uncertain unless there is a significant change in the direction of the program.

While firing a head coach is never an easy decision, especially after just a few years, OU may need to consider making a move if the program wants to return to the upper echelon of college basketball. The Big 12 is an unforgiving league, and the Sooners need a coach who can recruit at a high level, develop talent, and build a program that can compete consistently for championships.

The question now is whether OU will make the bold decision to move on from Porter Moser and search for a new coach who can breathe new life into the program. With the right hire, the Sooners could once again be a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12 and on the national stage. But time is running out, and it may be time for OU to try again.