Breaking: Oklahoma sooners women’s basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk awarded AP Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year for the third straight year
In a historic moment that solidifies her legacy among the elite in college basketball coaching, Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball head coach Jennie Baranczyk has been named the Associated Press (AP) Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year—for the third consecutive season.
The announcement, made Thursday morning, was met with resounding approval from across the college basketball landscape. Baranczyk’s relentless pursuit of excellence, innovative offensive schemes, and emotional connection with her players have made Oklahoma one of the most formidable programs in the country. More than just a coach, Baranczyk has transformed the Sooners into a perennial powerhouse, rewriting the narrative of Big 12 women’s basketball.
Winning the AP Coach of the Year award once is a career milestone. Winning it three times in a row? That enters the realm of legend. Baranczyk joins an exclusive club with coaching icons such as Geno Auriemma and Pat Summitt, but even among that company, her back-to-back-to-back honors place her in rarefied air.
Baranczyk, who took over the Oklahoma program in 2021, has methodically and passionately reshaped the culture in Norman. When she arrived, the Sooners were coming off a stretch of underwhelming seasons that had left fans hungry for change. Baranczyk wasted no time implementing her trademark fast-paced offense and an empowering player-first philosophy.
In her first season, she led the Sooners to a 25-9 record and a surprise Sweet 16 run. In her second, she secured the program’s first Big 12 regular season title in over a decade, finishing 29-5 and earning her second straight Coach of the Year title. But it’s her third season—the one just concluded—that has now immortalized her run.
This past season, the Sooners finished 31-3, swept the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships, and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They advanced to the Final Four, displaying a lethal blend of disciplined defense and explosive offense that overwhelmed even the best teams in the country.
Baranczyk’s leadership was evident from the opening game to the final whistle. Oklahoma ranked in the top five nationally in scoring offense, field goal percentage, and assists per game, all while allowing fewer than 60 points per contest—a significant leap in defensive efficiency.
What makes this season’s performance even more remarkable is that Baranczyk guided the Sooners to their success after losing three key players to graduation and navigating injuries to starters during the midseason stretch. Her ability to adapt, develop younger talent, and maintain a winning culture was nothing short of masterful.
Baranczyk’s philosophy extends far beyond Xs and Os. She has cultivated a program centered around holistic development—mental, emotional, academic, and athletic. Players routinely speak about the familial atmosphere within the team and the empowerment they feel under her leadership.
“I wouldn’t be the player—or the person—I am today without Coach B,” said senior point guard Maya Thompson. “She challenges us, she listens to us, and she believes in us even when we struggle. She’s changed our lives.”
Under Baranczyk, several Sooners have blossomed into All-Americans and WNBA prospects. This season, three players averaged double-digit scoring, and six had career highs in assists or rebounds. Her balanced approach means there’s no single star—rather, a constellation of talent thriving in a system designed to let them shine.
Baranczyk’s third Coach of the Year award didn’t come without stiff competition. South Carolina’s Dawn Staley and LSU’s Kim Mulkey were among the frontrunners. But Baranczyk’s consistency, strategic brilliance, and unmatched ability to elevate her players ultimately won over the voters.
“She’s done something truly special in Oklahoma,” said Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer. “To win this award three years in a row takes more than talent—it takes vision, resilience, and heart.”
The AP panel, composed of sportswriters and broadcasters from around the country, voted overwhelmingly in her favor. According to the AP, Baranczyk received 35 of the 60 first-place votes, a commanding majority that speaks to the widespread respect she has earned in a short amount of time.
Baranczyk’s success has also reinvigorated fan support for Oklahoma women’s basketball. The Lloyd Noble Center saw record attendance this season, with four sellouts and a surge in student engagement. The “Sooner Sisters,” as fans affectionately refer to the team, have become a source of pride for the entire university.
Merchandise sales have skyrocketed. National broadcasts of Oklahoma games have drawn impressive ratings. And the program’s social media following has more than doubled over the past 18 months.
Athletic Director Joe Castiglione credits Baranczyk with not only elevating the team’s performance but also transforming the program’s reputation.
“She’s the best hire we’ve ever made,” Castiglione said. “She represents everything we want in a leader—character, compassion, competitiveness. Jennie has turned our women’s basketball team into a national brand.”
With three Coach of the Year awards under her belt, Baranczyk has become a magnet for elite high school talent. The Sooners signed the nation’s No. 4 recruiting class for 2025, including three McDonald’s All-Americans and two top-10 players.
“Players want to come here now,” Baranczyk said. “They see what we’re building, and they want to be a part of it. But for me, it’s about the right fit—young women who are willing to grow, to sacrifice for each other, and to compete every single day.”
Her approach to recruiting emphasizes not just talent, but character and compatibility. She’s created a locker room free of ego and full of trust, and that culture is now self-sustaining.
### The Impact Beyond Basketball
Beyond wins and awards, Baranczyk’s influence can be felt across the university and the broader community. She’s an advocate for mental health resources, an outspoken supporter of women’s sports equity, and a frequent speaker at leadership and mentorship events.
She and her team have participated in numerous community outreach initiatives, from food drives to elementary school visits to fundraising efforts for local causes. She’s become a role model for young girls and an ambassador for the university.
“There’s a reason why Jennie Baranczyk has been recognized three times in a row,” said Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr. “She is a transformational leader in every sense.”
In her press conference following the announcement, Baranczyk deflected praise and credited her players, assistant coaches, and support staff.
“This is not a ‘me’ award. It’s a ‘we’ award,” Baranczyk said. “I’m incredibly honored and grateful, but this is a reflection of our team, our culture, and our belief in each other. I’m just proud to be their coach.”
That humility—genuine and consistent—has endeared her to fans and peers alike. In a sport often dominated by outsized personalities, Baranczyk’s quiet confidence and team-first ethos stand out.
With Baranczyk at the helm, the Sooners are poised for continued dominance. Despite graduating two key seniors, the team returns several starters and adds one of the deepest recruiting classes in program history.
Expectations will be sky-high entering the 2025-2026 season. Oklahoma is already being projected as a preseason top-three team, and Baranczyk’s name is being floated for future USA Basketball coaching roles and even WNBA opportunities.
Still, she remains focused on the task ahead.
“We’re not finished,” she said. “This is just another step. We want to keep growing, keep competing, and keep representing the University of Oklahoma with pride.”
In a sport that’s evolving rapidly and drawing more attention than ever, Jennie Baranczyk has emerged as a defining figure. Her three consecutive AP Coach of the Year honors speak to her brilliance on the court, but her real legacy may lie in the lives she’s touched and the example she’s set.
Oklahoma women’s basketball is now a national title contender, a recruiting destination, and a cultural force—and that’s all thanks to the woman at the helm.
As the basketball world celebrates her achievement, one thing is clear: Jennie Baranczyk isn’t just building a program. She’s building a dynasty.
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