Patty Gasso has once again proven why she is one of the most decorated coaches in college softball history. In her first season leading the Oklahoma Sooners in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Gasso guided her team to an inaugural SEC regular-season championship, earning her the prestigious title of **SEC Coach of the Year** [A](https://www.koco.com/article/sports-oklahoma-softball-patty-gasso-sec-coach-of-the-year/64728257?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmYm5xeWtkSllBemRabThZWGhGTk0iLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiaXNvVmE3SzQyMUF4eHl4clBpYnZMIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LmtvY28uY29tXC9hcnRpY2xlXC9zcG9ydHMtb2tsYWhvbWEtc29mdGJhbGwtcGF0dHktZ2Fzc28tc2VjLWNvYWNoLW9mLXRoZS15ZWFyXC82NDcyODI1NyJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [B](https://thelistwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2025/05/09/patty-gasso-sam-landry-sec-coach-newcomer-of-the-year-oklahoma-softball/83534150007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmYm5xeWtkSllBemRabThZWGhGTk0iLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiaXNvVmE3SzQyMUF4eHl4clBpYnZMIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvdGhlbGlzdHdpcmUudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tXC9zdG9yeVwvc3BvcnRzXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9zb29uZXJzXC8yMDI1XC8wNVwvMDlcL3BhdHR5LWdhc3NvLXNhbS1sYW5kcnktc2VjLWNvYWNoLW5ld2NvbWVyLW9mLXRoZS15ZWFyLW9rbGFob21hLXNvZnRiYWxsXC84MzUzNDE1MDAwN1wvIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [C](https://www.newson6.com/story/681e231e56dee2448a8f00e5/ou-softball-patty-gasso-named-sec-coach-of-the-year-several-players-take-top-honors?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmYm5xeWtkSllBemRabThZWGhGTk0iLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cubmV3c29uNi5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC82ODFlMjMxZTU2ZGVlMjQ0OGE4ZjAwZTVcL291LXNvZnRiYWxsLXBhdHR5LWdhc3NvLW5hbWVkLXNlYy1jb2FjaC1vZi10aGUteWVhci1zZXZlcmFsLXBsYXllcnMtdGFrZS10b3AtaG9ub3JzIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6Imlzb1ZhN0s0MjFBeHh5eHJQaWJ2TCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). This recognition marks her **16th career conference Coach of the Year honor**, a testament to her sustained excellence and ability to adapt to new challenges [C](https://www.newson6.com/story/681e231e56dee2448a8f00e5/ou-softball-patty-gasso-named-sec-coach-of-the-year-several-players-take-top-honors?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiaXNvVmE3SzQyMUF4eHl4clBpYnZMIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm5ld3NvbjYuY29tXC9zdG9yeVwvNjgxZTIzMWU1NmRlZTI0NDhhOGYwMGU1XC9vdS1zb2Z0YmFsbC1wYXR0eS1nYXNzby1uYW1lZC1zZWMtY29hY2gtb2YtdGhlLXllYXItc2V2ZXJhbC1wbGF5ZXJzLXRha2UtdG9wLWhvbm9ycyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6ImZibnF5a2RKWUF6ZFptOFlYaEZOTSJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### A Historic Transition to the SEC
Oklahoma’s move to the SEC was met with high expectations and uncertainty. The Sooners, who had dominated the Big 12 for years, faced a new level of competition in a conference known for its depth and talent. Despite being projected to finish third in the SEC preseason poll, Gasso’s leadership propelled the Sooners to a **17-7 conference record**, securing the regular-season title [C](https://www.newson6.com/story/681e231e56dee2448a8f00e5/ou-softball-patty-gasso-named-sec-coach-of-the-year-several-players-take-top-honors?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiaXNvVmE3SzQyMUF4eHl4clBpYnZMIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm5ld3NvbjYuY29tXC9zdG9yeVwvNjgxZTIzMWU1NmRlZTI0NDhhOGYwMGU1XC9vdS1zb2Z0YmFsbC1wYXR0eS1nYXNzby1uYW1lZC1zZWMtY29hY2gtb2YtdGhlLXllYXItc2V2ZXJhbC1wbGF5ZXJzLXRha2UtdG9wLWhvbm9ycyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6ImZibnF5a2RKWUF6ZFptOFlYaEZOTSJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
The transition was anything but smooth sailing. The Sooners had to navigate a rigorous schedule, facing powerhouse programs such as Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Texas. However, Gasso’s ability to instill resilience and adaptability in her players ensured that Oklahoma not only competed but thrived in its new environment. The team’s **sweeps against ranked opponents** demonstrated their dominance and ability to rise to the occasion [C](https://www.newson6.com/story/681e231e56dee2448a8f00e5/ou-softball-patty-gasso-named-sec-coach-of-the-year-several-players-take-top-honors?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiaXNvVmE3SzQyMUF4eHl4clBpYnZMIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiZmJucXlrZEpZQXpkWm04WVhoRk5NIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm5ld3NvbjYuY29tXC9zdG9yeVwvNjgxZTIzMWU1NmRlZTI0NDhhOGYwMGU1XC9vdS1zb2Z0YmFsbC1wYXR0eS1nYXNzby1uYW1lZC1zZWMtY29hY2gtb2YtdGhlLXllYXItc2V2ZXJhbC1wbGF5ZXJzLXRha2UtdG9wLWhvbm9ycyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jbGlja1NvdXJjZSI6ImNpdGF0aW9uTGluayJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### Player Development and Tactical Excellence
One of Gasso’s greatest strengths has always been her ability to develop talent. This season was no exception, as several Sooners earned individual accolades alongside their team’s success. **Sam Landry**, a senior transfer, was named **SEC Newcomer of the Year**, highlighting her impact in the circle with a **19-4 record and a 2.04 ERA** [D](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ou-softball-oklahomas-patty-gasso-sam-landry-take-home-sec-awards/ar-AA1EtIAR?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiaXNvVmE3SzQyMUF4eHl4clBpYnZMIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC9vdS1zb2Z0YmFsbC1va2xhaG9tYXMtcGF0dHktZ2Fzc28tc2FtLWxhbmRyeS10YWtlLWhvbWUtc2VjLWF3YXJkc1wvYXItQUExRXRJQVIiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmYm5xeWtkSllBemRabThZWGhGTk0ifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Landry’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations was a key factor in Oklahoma’s success, including her **one-hit complete game victory against LSU in the SEC Tournament** [B](https://thelistwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2025/05/09/patty-gasso-sam-landry-sec-coach-newcomer-of-the-year-oklahoma-softball/83534150007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC90aGVsaXN0d2lyZS51c2F0b2RheS5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC9zcG9ydHNcL2NvbGxlZ2VcL3Nvb25lcnNcLzIwMjVcLzA1XC8wOVwvcGF0dHktZ2Fzc28tc2FtLWxhbmRyeS1zZWMtY29hY2gtbmV3Y29tZXItb2YtdGhlLXllYXItb2tsYWhvbWEtc29mdGJhbGxcLzgzNTM0MTUwMDA3XC8iLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJmYm5xeWtkSllBemRabThZWGhGTk0iLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiaXNvVmE3SzQyMUF4eHl4clBpYnZMIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Additionally, **Nelly McEnroe-Marinas and Kasidi Pickering** earned **All-SEC First Team honors**, while **Gabbie Garcia and Ailana Agbayani** were recognized for their defensive prowess [C](https://www.newson6.com/story/681e231e56dee2448a8f00e5/ou-softball-patty-gasso-named-sec-coach-of-the-year-several-players-take-top-honors?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cubmV3c29uNi5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC82ODFlMjMxZTU2ZGVlMjQ0OGE4ZjAwZTVcL291LXNvZnRiYWxsLXBhdHR5LWdhc3NvLW5hbWVkLXNlYy1jb2FjaC1vZi10aGUteWVhci1zZXZlcmFsLXBsYXllcnMtdGFrZS10b3AtaG9ub3JzIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiZmJucXlrZEpZQXpkWm04WVhoRk5NIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6Imlzb1ZhN0s0MjFBeHh5eHJQaWJ2TCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). These individual achievements underscore Gasso’s ability to cultivate a winning culture and maximize her players’ potential.
### The Road Ahead
With the SEC regular-season crown secured, the Sooners now set their sights on the conference tournament and beyond. Gasso’s leadership has positioned Oklahoma as a formidable contender for another national championship. As the postseason unfolds, the Sooners will look to build on their momentum and continue their dominance under Gasso’s guidance.
Patty Gasso’s recognition as **SEC Coach of the Year** is more than just an individual accolade—it is a reflection of her ability to lead, adapt, and inspire excellence. In a new conference,
