Patty Gasso

Patty Gasso
Name	Patty Gasso
Current title	Head coach
Current team	Oklahoma Sooners
Conference	Big 12 Conference
Birth date	23 February 1962
Birth place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater	UCLA
Playing years1	1980–1983
Playing team1	UCLA Bruins softball
Position	Outfielder
Coaching years1	1989–1994
Coaching team1	Long Beach City College
Coaching years2	1995–present
Coaching team2	Oklahoma Sooners
Overall record	1,502–388–3 (.794)
Championships	8 Women's College World Series (2000, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Awards	5× NFCA National Coach of the Year
Hofame	National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame

Patty Gasso is an American college softball coach who has served as the head coach of the University of Oklahoma Sooners since 1995. She is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential coaches in the history of the sport, having led her program to a record eight Women's College World Series national championships. Under her leadership, the Oklahoma Sooners have become a dominant dynasty in NCAA Division I, consistently competing at the highest level and producing numerous All-American athletes.

Early life and education

Patty Gasso was born on February 23, 1962, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in a sports-oriented family and attended St. Joseph High School in Lakewood, California, where she excelled in multiple sports. She continued her academic and athletic career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), playing outfielder for the storied UCLA Bruins softball program under legendary coach Sharron Backus. During her time with the UCLA Bruins, she earned a degree in sociology and was part of teams that competed in the Women's College World Series, gaining invaluable experience at the pinnacle of collegiate softball.

Playing career

As a student-athlete for the UCLA Bruins from 1980 to 1983, Gasso was a key contributor to one of the nation's premier programs. She played during an era of tremendous growth for NCAA softball and helped her team maintain its status as a national contender. Her tenure at UCLA overlapped with the early careers of several Hall of Fame players and coincided with championships won by the Bruins. This firsthand experience in a championship culture under Sharron Backus and alongside future stars of the Women's Professional Fastpitch league profoundly shaped her understanding of the game and her future coaching philosophy.

Coaching career

Gasso began her head coaching career at Long Beach City College in 1989, quickly building a successful program. In 1995, she was hired to lead the Oklahoma Sooners softball program, which had seen only moderate success prior to her arrival. She engineered a remarkable turnaround, leading the Sooners to their first Women's College World Series appearance in 2000 and capturing the national championship that same year. Her teams are known for their powerful offense, disciplined defense, and exceptional pitching, often featuring USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year winners like Keilani Ricketts, Lauren Chamberlain, and Jocelyn Alo. Gasso's coaching prowess has been recognized with multiple NFCA National Coach of the Year awards, and she has served as a head coach for the United States women's national softball team.

Head coaching record

Through the 2024 season, Patty Gasso's overall record at the University of Oklahoma stands at an astonishing 1,502 wins against only 388 losses, giving her one of the highest winning percentages in NCAA history. Her record in Big 12 Conference play is equally dominant, and she has guided the Sooners to over twenty NCAA Division I softball tournament appearances. Her teams have won numerous Big 12 Conference regular-season and tournament championships, consistently finishing atop the standings and earning high seeds in the national postseason. This sustained excellence is reflected in the program's record-setting win streaks and annual contention for the Women's College World Series title in Oklahoma City.

Personal life

Patty Gasso is married to Jim Gasso, and they have two sons, DJ and JT Gasso, who have both been involved with the Oklahoma Sooners baseball program. Her family is deeply integrated into the University of Oklahoma athletic community. She is known for her strong faith and has often spoken about the importance of team culture, character development, and fostering a family atmosphere within her program. Beyond the softball field, she is actively involved in community outreach and charitable endeavors in Norman, Oklahoma.

Legacy and honors

Patty Gasso's legacy is that of a transformative figure who built a perennial powerhouse and elevated the standard for college softball. Her eight Women's College World Series championships are the most by any coach in the history of the sport, surpassing the record held by UCLA's Mike Candrea. She is a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. The playing facility for the Sooners, Love's Field, stands as a testament to her program's success and popularity. Her influence extends through the countless All-American players she has coached, many of whom have gone on to play professionally in Athletes Unlimited Softball and for the United States women's national softball team, ensuring her impact on the game will endure for generations.

Category:American softball coaches Category:Oklahoma Sooners softball coaches Category:UCLA Bruins softball players