Oklahoma State Head Coach Steve Lutz Releases Message After Taking Job
A new era is officially underway in Stillwater. Former Western Kentucky coach Steve Lutz has taken over the basketball program at Oklahoma State. While the Cowboys don't have the most resources, the program is in a power conference and has a solid history of being an incredibly consistent program.
Luts -- who hasn't won less than 22 games or missed the NCAA Tournament -- has the opportunity to keep proving his value as a head coach while translating his coaching success to the Big 12. He understands the challenge of taking the job and is ready to maximize the program's potential and return the Cowboys to relevancy.
“I'd like to thank Chad Weiberg and Dr. Shrum for entrusting me with one of college basketball's most storied programs. It's a responsibility that I don't take lightly. Cowboy Nation -- I look forward to meeting you all soon and hitting the ground running. Know that my staff and I will work diligently to recruit and retain hardworking kids who will represent you well, on and off the court, and consistently compete for Big 12 championships," Lutz said in a release.
While his introductory presser isn't until Thursday, Lutz is already saying the right things. As a coach, he checks the necessary boxes the Cowboys needed. There is finally a fresh face in town and the program should have a bit more life to it in the upcoming season.
“Coach Lutz is known as one of the hardest-working coaches in the business. He has worked at all levels of college basketball and has deep ties to this part of the country, especially Texas. The work he has put into his career has resulted in success as a head coach and why I believe he is the right person to be the leader of Cowboy Basketball," Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said.
For Oklahoma State and Weiberg, this is a good hire. The Gallagher-Iba Arena should be more full, more wins should come and the consistent program that was should find its way back to Stillwater.
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Kade has been covering a wide variety of teams ranging from the NFL to the NBA and college athletics since joining Sports Illustrated's On SI in 2022