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Oklahoma State Basketball Makes Hiring of Steven Lutz Official

The Cowboys officially have their next basketball head coach, which was made official on Monday.

Kade Kimble

Islanders head men's basketball coach Steve Lutz coaches form the sidelines during the game against
Islanders head men's basketball coach Steve Lutz coaches form the sidelines during the game against / Angela Piazza/Caller-Times / USA TODAY

No, it's not an April Fools joke. The Oklahoma State Cowboys have officially hired their next head basketball coach. After rumors swirled, the search reportedly being "a mess," the Cowboys will be led by Western Kentucky's Steve Lutz.

While the news broke earlier today, the Cowboys made the signing of Lutz as the head coach official late Tuesday.

Lutz is seemingly the perfect guy for the job. He checks the boxes of a wishlist of what can help Oklahoma State turn its basketball program around. After years and years as an assistant coach, Lutz took a head coaching job at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi three seasons ago. In his first season -- with transfer portal healp -- Lutz went 23-12 and made the NCAA Touranment. The following season? A 24-11 record and second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

After going 2-for-2 in making the NCAA Tournament with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Lutz took a head coaching job at Western Kentucky, where he posted a 22-12 record and NCAA Tournament appearance this past season.

It's clear Lutz knows how to win. Making the NCAA Tournament is something he does regularly and is the standard for him. He did so while turning programs around with help in the transfer portal. Now, he gets Power Four resources and a big opportunity in Stillwater.

Evidently, with a head coaching change, there should be a newfound excitement and buzz around Oklahoma State basketball -- something that was lost during the Mike Boynton era. Lutz has a glaring opportunity to lend Cowboys fans a jolt of excitment during his opening presser and first season as the team's head coach.

Alas, after two weeks of uncertainty, Oklahoma State has a sense of direction. Now, the first order of business for the new head coach is to try and retain as much talent as possible, while bringing in players to fit his style.

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Kade Kimble

KADE KIMBLE

Kade is a strategic communications student at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where he also minors in Sports Management. He has been covering the Oklahoma City Thunder with InsidetheThunder.com since the 2022 season after having followed the team since its early days.