OKLAHOMA SOONERS FANS REJOICE AS: Head Coach of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Made History By Signing The Largest Contract For a Coach in Women’s College Basketball Following…
Oklahoma Sooners fans are celebrating a significant milestone as Head Coach Jennie Baranczyk has signed a groundbreaking contract extension, solidifying her position among the highest-paid coaches in women’s college basketball. The new six-year deal, valued at $9.45 million, averages $1.575 million annually, reflecting the University of Oklahoma’s commitment to excellence and recognition of Baranczyk’s transformative impact on the program.
Baranczyk’s leadership has revitalized the Sooners. Since taking the helm in 2021, she has guided Oklahoma to back-to-back Big 12 regular-season championships in 2023 and 2024. In the 2024–25 season, the team’s inaugural year in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Sooners achieved a 27–8 overall record and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament, showcasing their competitiveness on a national stage.
The contract extension not only rewards Baranczyk’s on-court success but also underscores the university’s investment in women’s athletics. With this deal, Oklahoma now has three women’s head coaches earning over $1 million annually, joining the ranks of softball coach Patty Gasso and gymnastics coach K.J. Kindler. This move signals a broader commitment to supporting and retaining top-tier coaching talent across the university’s athletic programs.
Baranczyk’s coaching prowess is evident in her ability to develop talent and foster a winning culture. Her tenure at Oklahoma has been marked by strategic recruiting, player development, and a focus on academic excellence. The team’s success has also led to increased fan engagement, with home games at the Lloyd Noble Center drawing substantial crowds, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for women’s basketball in Norman.
Before joining Oklahoma, Baranczyk served as the head coach at Drake University, where she compiled a 192–96 overall record and led the Bulldogs to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Her experience and leadership have been instrumental in elevating the Sooners’ program to new heights, earning her recognition as a finalist for National Coach of the Year honors in each of her first three seasons at Oklahoma.
As the Sooners look ahead, Baranczyk’s historic contract extension positions Oklahoma as a formidable force in women’s college basketball.
