Steve Lutz Bringing Defense-First Mindset to Oklahoma State

The Cowboys' new head coach knows his reputation, but still leans toward the defensive end.

New Oklahoma State University head men's basketball coach Steve Lutz speaks during an introduction / SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY

Oklahoma State has a new coach, but the team’s defense-first mindset could be here to stay.

The Cowboys fired Mike Boynton after seven seasons as head coach after a disappointing finish in the Big 12 Tournament. The Cowboys’ loss to UCF clinched a 12-20 record as they missed the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season.

After a drawn-out coaching search that took nearly three weeks, OSU athletic director Chad Weiberg hired Steve Lutz, who spent last season at Western Kentucky. Lutz came to Stillwater with only three seasons of head coaching experience but three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Although Lutz has decades of experience as an assistant, his style as a head coach likely garnered the attention of OSU. Lutz’s teams are known to play a fast, up-tempo offense that relies on getting up quick shots when available. Lutz’s offensive attack gets the most attention, but he made it clear where his focus is at his introductory press conference on Thursday, referencing his time as a player.

“I am absolutely more a defensive coach,” Lutz said. “When you’re not a very good player, you have to figure out a way to get onto the floor, and defense was absolutely the way for me to get onto the floor. But more importantly, and I’ll say this to the guys, and they’ll get tired of listening to me, your shot’s not gonna be there every day. It’s just not. But your determination, your hard work, your toughness on the defensive end can still win you games.”

That defensive mindset was apparent at Western Kentucky last season. Although the Hilltoppers’ offense drew the most attention, their defense was more indicative of the outcome.

Last season, when Western Kentucky held its opponent to 70 points or fewer, the team went 13-0. When giving up at least 71, the team’s record dropped to 9-12.

The same held true for OSU last season. However, their poor offense often erased any defensive success. 

When holding opponents to 70 or fewer points, the Cowboys went 9-7. Although not the same success as Lutz’s Hilltoppers, the Cowboys had a much more dramatic fall and went only 3-13 when allowing 71 or more points.

Although he has big shoes to fill, Lutz is not shying away from the program’s history. With coaches such as Eddie Sutton and Henry Iba, Lutz seems to understand OSU's expectations and what the team hopes to become again.

“I hear the stories of when coach Sutton was here, and coach Iba was here, and people talk about the hair standing up on the back of your neck or standing up on your arms because those guys played so hard, and they got a defensive stop to win the game,” Lutz said. “And I can’t wait for that to be the case again here this next year.”

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