Pauline Love is appointed associate head coach for Oklahoma women’s basketball.

The University of Oklahoma has made a significant move in its women’s basketball program, announcing the hiring of Pauline Love as associate head coach. The appointment comes as part of a strategic effort to elevate the Sooners’ national profile and build on recent success under head coach Jennie Baranczyk. Love’s addition signals not only a commitment to excellence but a deeper investment in player development, recruiting, and overall team culture.

Love, who brings a wealth of experience both as a coach and former standout player, steps into her new role with high expectations. Her reputation as a dynamic recruiter, a skillful tactician, and a mentor to young athletes made her an ideal candidate for a program with national ambitions. As Oklahoma looks ahead to a new chapter, Pauline Love is poised to become one of the program’s most influential figures.

Pauline Love’s coaching trajectory has been steep and impressive. Before joining the Sooners, she served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at several notable programs, including Mississippi State, Arkansas State, and most recently, the University of Illinois. Her fingerprints were evident in each stop—improved recruiting rankings, better player retention, and more cohesive team performances.

At Illinois, Love helped lead the Fighting Illini to a resurgence in Big Ten play. She was instrumental in recruiting top-100 talent and was praised for her ability to connect with players, especially in high-pressure environments. In addition, Love was a key voice in shaping offensive strategy and strengthening the team’s identity on and off the court.

“She’s a winner in every sense,” said Illinois head coach Shauna Green. “Pauline has the rare ability to lift a room, inspire young women, and demand excellence without sacrificing compassion. Oklahoma is incredibly lucky to have her.”

Before her coaching career, Love was a standout player at the University of Southern Mississippi. A two-time All-Conference USA selection, she finished her collegiate career averaging 17.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Her tenacity, leadership, and work ethic made her a fan favorite and earned her opportunities to play professionally, including a stint in the WNBA and overseas.

Those playing days gave Love a perspective few others have. Her experiences battling through adversity, striving for roster spots, and adapting to international play shaped her understanding of what athletes need from their coaches. That empathy translates seamlessly into her coaching, where she consistently garners trust and loyalty from the players she mentors.

“She gets it,” said Oklahoma senior guard Payton Verhulst. “Coach Love has been through what we’re going through. She doesn’t just talk the talk—she’s lived it. That’s why we respect her.”

Love’s hiring is also a clear statement of alignment with Jennie Baranczyk’s culture-forward coaching philosophy. Since Baranczyk’s arrival in Norman, the Sooners have emphasized a brand of basketball that’s unselfish, energetic, and emotionally intelligent. The program has embraced community-building as much as Xs and Os, and Love’s addition enhances that mission.

“Pauline is the perfect complement to what we’re building here,” Baranczyk said. “Her energy is contagious, her knowledge is vast, and her character is unmatched. She brings everything we value: integrity, passion, toughness, and a deep love for this game.”

Baranczyk also noted Love’s recruiting prowess, particularly in the South and Midwest, regions that have produced a growing number of elite prospects. With Love leading recruiting efforts, Oklahoma is expected to increase its national competitiveness on the recruiting trail, an area that will prove critical with the Sooners soon joining the SEC—a move that intensifies every aspect of the program’s trajectory.

Love’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the Oklahoma program. The Sooners are coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and have returned to relevance in a crowded Big 12 landscape. However, with Oklahoma’s impending move to the SEC, the stakes are higher than ever. The team will face perennial powerhouses like South Carolina, LSU, and Tennessee—programs that set the gold standard in women’s college basketball.

Love’s presence should ease that transition. She’s familiar with SEC culture, having both played and coached in that ecosystem. Her understanding of the conference’s unique demands, from recruiting to game preparation, will be invaluable.

“I’ve coached in some of the toughest leagues in the country, and I know what it takes to compete at the highest level,” Love said in her introductory press conference. “Oklahoma has the resources, the leadership, and the vision to be one of those elite programs. I’m here to help make that happen.”

Love also emphasized her commitment to mentoring student-athletes beyond the basketball court.

“My purpose isn’t just to coach players—it’s to empower young women,” she said. “I want every player I work with to leave this program not just as a better athlete, but as a stronger, more confident person.”

News of Love’s hire was met with excitement inside the Oklahoma locker room. Several current players took to social media to express their enthusiasm, praising her energy and track record.

“Coach Love brings the juice,” sophomore forward Sahara Williams tweeted. “Can’t wait to get to work.”

Team leaders have echoed the sentiment that Love’s approach aligns perfectly with the program’s emphasis on family, trust, and growth. Assistant coaches have also noted how quickly she’s meshed with the staff, building rapport and challenging the team to raise their standard.

“There’s a spark with Coach Love,” said assistant coach Courtney Paris. “She raises the temperature in the gym. Her presence alone makes you want to be better.”

One of the most immediate impacts of Love’s arrival is expected to be in recruiting. Known as a tireless evaluator with a strong eye for under-the-radar talent, Love has consistently helped programs punch above their weight on the recruiting trail. At Arkansas State, she landed several all-conference selections. At Illinois, she helped orchestrate a top-30 class and played a pivotal role in player development.

With Oklahoma moving into the SEC, the ability to recruit nationally will be essential. Love is already hitting the trail with renewed energy, attending grassroots tournaments and establishing new relationships with AAU programs.

“She knows the game inside and out, but what sets her apart is her authenticity,” said an AAU coach from Texas. “Kids want to play for her because they know she tells the truth and keeps her word.”

Insiders also believe Love will help Oklahoma tap into new recruiting pipelines in Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama—states loaded with untapped potential. Her Southern roots and professional network are expected to complement Baranczyk’s recruiting footprint in the Midwest.

With the 2025-26 season on the horizon, Love’s role will be vital in preparing the Sooners for an unforgiving SEC gauntlet. From summer workouts to team retreats, her fingerprints will be on every element of the program’s culture shift. The coaching staff has already begun strategic planning for player development, offensive pace, and defensive intensity—areas where Love’s voice will be central.

Oklahoma’s administration has also given Love its full support. Athletic Director Joe Castiglione praised the hire, calling her “an elite basketball mind and an even better person.” He noted that the university is “committed to building a championship-caliber program” and that Love’s presence adds “a critical pillar to that foundation.”

Love, for her part, remains focused on the immediate tasks ahead.

“It’s about doing the work, every single day,” she said. “We’re going to outwork people. We’re going to support our players like never before. And we’re going to compete—because that’s what it means to be a Sooner.”

Pauline Love’s hiring is more than just a coaching addition—it’s a statement of intent. Oklahoma is not content with being a tournament regular. The program is aiming for the elite tier of women’s college basketball, and Love is a foundational piece of that vision. Her passion, expertise, and presence will reverberate far beyond game day, shaping a culture that aspires to national relevance.

In many ways, Love’s story mirrors the program she’s joining: tough, driven, overlooked at times—but ready to take the next step. With her on board, Oklahoma women’s basketball is betting big on a future that looks brighter than ever.