The Sooner staff is named ATEC/NFCA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year
In a remarkable achievement, the Oklahoma Sooners softball coaching staff has been honored with the 2024 ATEC/NFCA Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year award. This recognition marks the third consecutive year and the seventh time overall that head coach Patty Gasso and her staff have received this prestigious accolade. The award is voted on by NCAA Division I head coaches and acknowledges the staff’s exceptional leadership and performance throughout the season.
Under the guidance of Gasso, associate head coaches Jennifer Rocha and JT Gasso, and assistant coach Falepolima Steele, the Sooners achieved unprecedented success in the 2024 season. The team secured their fourth consecutive national championship, becoming the first program in NCAA Division I softball history to accomplish this feat. Their dominance extended to the postseason, where they posted a perfect 5-0 record, culminating in a Women’s College World Series (WCWS) sweep of the Texas Longhorns.
The Sooners’ 2024 campaign was characterized by a blend of offensive firepower and pitching excellence. The team led the nation in several statistical categories, including wins, on-base percentage, and home runs. They also ranked among the top five nationally in batting average, slugging percentage, doubles, fielding percentage, and on-base plus slugging (OPS). Notably, the Sooners recorded 27 run-rule victories and 23 shutouts during the season.
A significant milestone for the program was the opening of Love’s Field, the largest on-campus softball stadium in the country. The new facility attracted a record-setting 108,156 fans throughout the season, averaging 4,328 spectators per game. This surge in attendance underscored the growing popularity and support for the Sooners’ softball program.
The coaching staff’s impact was evident in the development and success of individual players. Five Sooners earned NFCA All-American honors, and nine received All-Big 12 accolades. Additionally, five players were named to the WCWS All-Tournament Team, with pitcher Kelly Maxwell earning the Most Outstanding Player award. These individual achievements reflect the staff’s commitment to player development and their ability to maximize each athlete’s potential.
The 2024 ATEC/NFCA Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year award recognizes the Oklahoma Sooners’ coaching staff for their unparalleled success and leadership in collegiate softball. Their historic achievements, both as a team and in player development, have set a new standard in the sport and solidified their place among the elite coaching staffs in NCAA history.
