Oklahoma Sooners Softball Icon Patty Gasso Reveals Retirement Timeline After Leading Team to Historic Dynasty

**Oklahoma Sooners Softball Icon Patty Gasso Reveals Retirement Timeline After Leading Team to Historic Dynasty**

**Norman, Oklahoma – January 11, 2026** – In a moment that marks the end of one of the most dominant eras in college sports history, University of Oklahoma softball head coach **Patty Gasso** has announced her plans to retire following the conclusion of the 2028 season. The announcement, shared in an emotional press conference at Love’s Field, comes as Gasso, now 63, continues to guide the Sooners through their transition to the Southeastern Conference while also serving as head coach of the United States Women’s National Softball Team.

Gasso, who has been at the helm of the Oklahoma program since 1995, has transformed the Sooners into the undisputed gold standard of NCAA Division I softball. Under her leadership, OU has captured **eight national championships** (2000, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024), including an unprecedented four consecutive titles from 2021 to 2024—the first four-peat in college softball history. Her teams have made 18 appearances in the Women’s College World Series, advanced to the postseason in every season (except the canceled 2020 tournament), and amassed a staggering record of over 1,567 wins at OU with a winning percentage of .812, the highest among Division I coaches with 1,000 or more victories.

“I’ve poured my heart and soul into this program for more than three decades,” Gasso said, her voice steady but emotional. “We’ve built something truly special here in Norman—a dynasty defined not just by championships, but by the young women who have grown into leaders, mothers, and trailblazers. I want to give everything I have through 2028, finish strong with this incredible group, and then step away knowing the foundation is rock solid for the next chapter.”

The retirement timeline aligns with the end of her current contract, which runs through June 2028, and coincides with her ongoing commitment to Team USA, where she was named head coach in February 2025 for the 2025-2028 quadrennial cycle. Gasso recently led the U.S. squad to a dominant undefeated performance in the 2025 USA Down Under Series, including multiple mercy-rule victories over Australia to kick off the new year.

Gasso’s impact extends far beyond the diamond. She has coached 89 All-Americans, produced countless conference and national award winners—including two-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Jocelyn Alo—and emphasized academic excellence, with hundreds of Sooners earning all-conference academic honors. Her coaching accolades include induction into the NFCA Hall of Fame, multiple national and regional Coach of the Year honors, and 15 Big 12 Coach of the Year awards, plus SEC Coach of the Year in 2025 following OU’s successful conference debut with regular-season and tournament titles.

University of Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione praised Gasso’s legacy, calling her “the architect of the greatest era in college softball history.” “Patty Gasso is simply the best to ever do it,” Castiglione said. “Her vision, passion, and ability to develop champions on and off the field have elevated our program to unprecedented heights. While we respect her decision to plan for retirement, we are thrilled she will lead us through 2028, ensuring a smooth transition.”

Former players echoed the sentiment. Two-time national champion and All-American Keilani Ricketts reflected, “Coach Gasso didn’t just teach us how to win; she taught us how to believe in ourselves and each other. The dynasty she’s built will inspire generations.”

As Oklahoma prepares for the 2026 season—Gasso’s 32nd at the helm—the Sooners boast another top-ranked recruiting class and a reloaded pitching staff featuring transfers and emerging talent. Gasso remains optimistic about the future, noting, “This program is in great hands. The culture we’ve created is unbreakable, and I can’t wait to watch it continue to thrive long after I’m gone.”

Gasso’s retirement will undoubtedly leave a void, but her timeline provides a clear path forward. The Sooners enter 2026 as perennial favorites, with Gasso aiming to add to her championship tally and solidify her status as the GOAT of college softball coaching.

For now, the focus remains on the present: more wins, more development, and more memories with the young women who have made Oklahoma softball a household name. The dynasty Patty Gasso built isn’t ending—it’s simply evolving, one final chapter at a time.