SOONER COMEBACK: Nicole May Returns to Oklahoma as Associate Head Coach—Beloved Star Rejoins Softball Powerhouse in Emotional Homecoming Move

Nicole May’s journey has come full circle in the most compelling way imaginable, as the former Oklahoma Sooners standout pitcher has officially been named Associate Head Coach for the powerhouse softball program. For a school that defines excellence on the diamond, bringing May back is not just a strategic move—it’s a deeply emotional homecoming that reconnects past glory with a promising future. This appointment not only reinforces Oklahoma’s commitment to maintaining its elite status but also honors a player whose legacy still echoes across the walls of Love’s Field. For May, returning to Norman isn’t just about coaching—it’s about coming home.

Few programs in college athletics carry the dynastic aura that Oklahoma softball has built under head coach Patty Gasso. With multiple national championships, a passionate fanbase, and a culture steeped in success, Oklahoma has long been a destination program. Nicole May’s story is forever interwoven into that tapestry. From her freshman season when she made an immediate impact to her evolution as a trusted, battle-tested ace, May’s contributions during her time in Norman helped fuel one of the most dominant stretches in NCAA softball history. Her return now signals a continuation of that legacy—not in the circle, but in the dugout, where her impact might be even greater.

May’s appointment comes at a critical juncture. The Sooners are in a state of transition, reloading after graduating legendary talents while still maintaining their lofty championship expectations. In bringing back one of their own, Oklahoma isn’t just adding experience—they’re adding someone who understands the heartbeat of the program. Nicole May has walked the high-pressure path, thrived in Women’s College World Series atmospheres, and earned her stripes in the most competitive conference in college softball. She knows what it takes to win at Oklahoma, and perhaps more importantly, she knows what it takes to lead there.

Her coaching credentials are already well established despite her young age. After finishing her playing career at Oklahoma and spending time honing her skills in developmental roles, May quickly gained a reputation for her attention to detail, infectious energy, and innate ability to connect with pitchers. While many former players need time to adjust to the coaching world, May has displayed a natural transition. She’s become a respected voice in the locker room and a rising name in the coaching ranks. For Oklahoma to name her Associate Head Coach is not just a nod to her past; it’s an endorsement of her future.

Oklahoma’s pitching tradition is storied, and May’s return could elevate it further. She joins a staff that’s long been lauded for its ability to develop aces, manage deep rotations, and maintain peak performance under the brightest lights. May’s own experience as a player offers a priceless perspective—one grounded in first-hand knowledge of what it takes to represent the Sooners at the highest level. Young pitchers will now learn from someone who has stood exactly where they stand, who has faced down championship-caliber lineups, and who has overcome adversity under the weight of sky-high expectations.

The reaction from fans and former teammates alike has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Social media was flooded with congratulatory posts and heartfelt messages, many of them from former players who battled alongside May or who admired her leadership from afar. The Sooners community has always rallied around its own, and in Nicole May, they see a representation of everything Oklahoma softball strives to be: fierce, focused, selfless, and driven.

There’s also a symbolic weight to her hiring. At a time when college athletics is in flux—with player movement more fluid than ever due to the transfer portal and NIL deals—Oklahoma has doubled down on culture. By bringing in May, they are not only reinforcing the importance of winning but of doing so the right way. She represents the kind of continuity that’s rare in modern college sports: a homegrown star who returns to uplift the very program that shaped her. In an era defined by change, May’s return is a stabilizing force.

The impact of her presence may be felt most in the pitching staff, but her influence will go far beyond the circle. May has always been a vocal leader, someone who commands respect not through volume but through presence. As Associate Head Coach, she will be a crucial voice in recruiting, development, game-planning, and player support. Her ability to mentor, relate, and inspire makes her uniquely equipped for this role. And with Coach Gasso continuing to guide the ship, having someone like May onboard ensures that the program remains both grounded in tradition and geared toward innovation.

Nicole May’s appointment also carries powerful emotional resonance. Returning to coach where you once competed is a rare privilege in college sports. It speaks volumes about her relationship with the program, the trust she’s earned from Coach Gasso, and the mark she left as a player. Coaching at your alma mater isn’t just about Xs and Os—it’s about stewardship. It’s about carrying forward a legacy while building your own. For May, that’s exactly what lies ahead.

This moment is also an inspirational one for current players, particularly younger athletes who dream of one day coaching or leading from within the sport. May’s rise offers a blueprint: perform at a high level, lead with integrity, never stop learning, and always stay connected to your roots. Her trajectory is a testament to what happens when talent meets opportunity and when preparation intersects with passion.

For Coach Gasso, the move signals both wisdom and foresight. She understands the importance of continuity and culture. Bringing in someone who has worn the jersey, who understands the pressure and the pride, is invaluable. Gasso has always been ahead of the curve in terms of player development, staff structuring, and adapting to the modern game. Appointing May to such a prominent role is another example of that forward-thinking leadership. It’s also a reminder that the future of Oklahoma softball will be shaped not just by new recruits, but by former stars who return with a purpose.

In every great program, the best leaders are those who’ve lived the experience. Nicole May lived it, thrived in it, and now returns to help others do the same. She knows the late-night grind sessions, the high-stakes postseason pressure, and the camaraderie that defines Sooners softball. She’s been on the mound when the season was on the line, and she’s celebrated with teammates when trophies were hoisted. That lived experience is an intangible asset—something no amount of scouting reports or analytics can replicate.

Now, she’ll take all of that with her into the next chapter. She’ll mold pitchers, mentor leaders, strategize wins, and perhaps most importantly, sustain the standard that made Oklahoma what it is. The expectations won’t change just because her title has—if anything, they’ll intensify. But if there’s one thing Nicole May has never shied away from, it’s expectations.

She returns not only with credibility but with conviction. This is a role she’s ready for. The Sooner faithful know it. Her former teammates know it. And most of all, Nicole May knows it.

With this move, Oklahoma sends a message to the softball world: the past, present, and future are all aligned in Norman. In welcoming back one of their most respected and beloved former stars, the Sooners have once again fortified their foundation. Nicole May is home—and Oklahoma softball is stronger for it.