Touch down few minutes ago, The current head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team, Jennie Baranczyk, has submitted a letter of resignation to…….
Touchdown few minutes ago, The current head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team, Jennie Baranczyk, has submitted a letter of resignation to…….
In a development few saw coming, Jennie Baranczyk**, the head coach of the **Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team**, submitted her **letter of resignation** shortly after landing in **Norman, Oklahoma**, late Saturday afternoon. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the NCAA women’s basketball landscape, just months after Baranczyk led the Sooners to a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
The resignation was confirmed by the University of Oklahoma’s athletic department, with Baranczyk meeting privately with Athletic Director **Joe Castiglione** upon arrival and personally handing over her formal notice. Though her departure is effective immediately, she will reportedly assist in the transition of coaching duties over the coming days.
Baranczyk, 49, had been at the helm in Norman since 2021 and was widely praised for revitalizing a program that had struggled to maintain national relevance in the years prior. Under her guidance, the Sooners returned to consistent postseason contention and finished top-three in the Big 12 in each of the last two seasons.
Her coaching style — fast-paced, team-first, and emotionally intelligent — earned admiration not just in Oklahoma but across the national basketball community.
It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners. I’m proud of what we’ve built, proud of the young women I’ve coached, and proud to be part of Sooner history. This decision was incredibly difficult and deeply personal, but it is time for me to step away and focus on my family and health. I’ll always be cheering for this team from wherever life takes me next.”
During her four seasons with the Sooners, Baranczyk amassed an overall record of **91–38**, with three consecutive NCAA Tournament bids and two Sweet 16 appearances. She was named **Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2023**, thanks to her role in developing one of the highest-scoring offenses in the country.
She also played a pivotal role in recruiting, landing top-25 classes in both 2023 and 2024, and helping several players, including standout guard **Nevaeh Tot**, reach WNBA training camps.
Coach B gave us the belief that we belonged on the national stage again,” said Tot. “She brought the fire back to this program.
In the interim, **Associate Head Coach Amy Wright** will take over team operations while the university launches a national search for a permanent head coach. Wright, a respected figure in women’s college basketball, has been with Baranczyk since her days at Drake and is expected to be a candidate for the top job.
Athletic Director Joe Castiglione expressed both gratitude and urgency in a brief press conference late Saturday.
We thank Coach Baranczyk for her exceptional leadership and integrity. While her resignation was unexpected, we fully respect her decision. Our focus now is to maintain continuity and find the right leader to guide this special group of student-athletes.
The resignation also throws a wrench into Oklahoma’s 2025–26 recruiting cycle. Baranczyk had been in the final stages of securing commitments from several high-profile prospects, who now may reconsider their options depending on the next hire.
Though her time in Norman was relatively short, Baranczyk leaves behind a program far stronger than the one she inherited. Players describe her as a passionate mentor, a meticulous tactician, and an unwavering believer in her team’s potential.
I can’t imagine my career without her,” said sophomore forward **Layla Mason**. “She’s changed my life on and off the court.
While it’s unclear whether Baranczyk will return to coaching in the near future, many believe her impact on women’s college basketball will resonate for years to come — in Norman and beyond.
