Patty Gasso has once again proven why she is one of the most legendary figures in college softball. In Oklahoma’s debut season in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Gasso led the Sooners to an impressive regular-season championship, earning her the prestigious **SEC Coach of the Year** honor [A](https://www.newson6.com/story/681e231e56dee2448a8f00e5/ou-softball-patty-gasso-named-sec-coach-of-the-year-several-players-take-top-honors?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cubmV3c29uNi5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC82ODFlMjMxZTU2ZGVlMjQ0OGE4ZjAwZTVcL291LXNvZnRiYWxsLXBhdHR5LWdhc3NvLW5hbWVkLXNlYy1jb2FjaC1vZi10aGUteWVhci1zZXZlcmFsLXBsYXllcnMtdGFrZS10b3AtaG9ub3JzIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6IlpNcHJSSzN5bVdMUmJzdTJTZ2UyRCIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6IjZpbXVWS0h2V0Zlcm52M3F6WlNveSJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). This marks her **16th conference coach of the year award**, but her first in the SEC, solidifying her ability to adapt and dominate in a new competitive landscape [A](https://www.newson6.com/story/681e231e56dee2448a8f00e5/ou-softball-patty-gasso-named-sec-coach-of-the-year-several-players-take-top-honors?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cubmV3c29uNi5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC82ODFlMjMxZTU2ZGVlMjQ0OGE4ZjAwZTVcL291LXNvZnRiYWxsLXBhdHR5LWdhc3NvLW5hbWVkLXNlYy1jb2FjaC1vZi10aGUteWVhci1zZXZlcmFsLXBsYXllcnMtdGFrZS10b3AtaG9ub3JzIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6IlpNcHJSSzN5bVdMUmJzdTJTZ2UyRCIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6IjZpbXVWS0h2V0Zlcm52M3F6WlNveSJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### A Historic First Season in the SEC
The Sooners entered the SEC with high expectations, having been a powerhouse in the Big 12 for years. However, transitioning to a new conference meant facing unfamiliar opponents and adjusting to a different level of competition. Despite these challenges, Gasso guided her team to a **17-7 conference record**, securing the **SEC Regular Season Championship** [A](https://www.newson6.com/story/681e231e56dee2448a8f00e5/ou-softball-patty-gasso-named-sec-coach-of-the-year-several-players-take-top-honors?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiWk1wclJLM3ltV0xSYnN1MlNnZTJEIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm5ld3NvbjYuY29tXC9zdG9yeVwvNjgxZTIzMWU1NmRlZTI0NDhhOGYwMGU1XC9vdS1zb2Z0YmFsbC1wYXR0eS1nYXNzby1uYW1lZC1zZWMtY29hY2gtb2YtdGhlLXllYXItc2V2ZXJhbC1wbGF5ZXJzLXRha2UtdG9wLWhvbm9ycyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6IjZpbXVWS0h2V0Zlcm52M3F6WlNveSJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). The Sooners defied preseason predictions, which had them finishing third, and instead emerged as the top team in the league [A](https://www.newson6.com/story/681e231e56dee2448a8f00e5/ou-softball-patty-gasso-named-sec-coach-of-the-year-several-players-take-top-honors?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiWk1wclJLM3ltV0xSYnN1MlNnZTJEIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiNmltdVZLSHZXRmVybnYzcXpaU295IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm5ld3NvbjYuY29tXC9zdG9yeVwvNjgxZTIzMWU1NmRlZTI0NDhhOGYwMGU1XC9vdS1zb2Z0YmFsbC1wYXR0eS1nYXNzby1uYW1lZC1zZWMtY29hY2gtb2YtdGhlLXllYXItc2V2ZXJhbC1wbGF5ZXJzLXRha2UtdG9wLWhvbm9ycyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jbGlja1NvdXJjZSI6ImNpdGF0aW9uTGluayJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### Leadership and Player Development
Gasso’s leadership was instrumental in shaping a team that had undergone significant roster changes. One of the standout players under her guidance was **Sam Landry**, who was named **SEC Newcomer of the Year** [A](https://www.newson6.com/story/681e231e56dee2448a8f00e5/ou-softball-patty-gasso-named-sec-coach-of-the-year-several-players-take-top-honors?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cubmV3c29uNi5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC82ODFlMjMxZTU2ZGVlMjQ0OGE4ZjAwZTVcL291LXNvZnRiYWxsLXBhdHR5LWdhc3NvLW5hbWVkLXNlYy1jb2FjaC1vZi10aGUteWVhci1zZXZlcmFsLXBsYXllcnMtdGFrZS10b3AtaG9ub3JzIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiNmltdVZLSHZXRmVybnYzcXpaU295IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6IlpNcHJSSzN5bVdMUmJzdTJTZ2UyRCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Landry, a senior transfer, played a crucial role in Oklahoma’s success, finishing the regular season with a **19-4 record** and earning multiple accolades, including **SEC Pitcher of the Week** honors [A](https://www.newson6.com/story/681e231e56dee2448a8f00e5/ou-softball-patty-gasso-named-sec-coach-of-the-year-several-players-take-top-honors?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiI2aW11VktIdldGZXJudjNxelpTb3kiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cubmV3c29uNi5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC82ODFlMjMxZTU2ZGVlMjQ0OGE4ZjAwZTVcL291LXNvZnRiYWxsLXBhdHR5LWdhc3NvLW5hbWVkLXNlYy1jb2FjaC1vZi10aGUteWVhci1zZXZlcmFsLXBsYXllcnMtdGFrZS10b3AtaG9ub3JzIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX21lc3NhZ2VJZCI6IlpNcHJSSzN5bVdMUmJzdTJTZ2UyRCIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jbGlja1NvdXJjZSI6ImNpdGF0aW9uTGluayJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Her dominance in the circle was a testament to Gasso’s ability to develop talent and maximize player potential.
Additionally, several Sooners received **All-SEC honors**, with **Nelly McEnroe-Marinas and Kasidi Pickering** earning **First Team All-SEC** selections
