Oklahoma State basketball found itself at the center of a seismic offseason rumor that nearly reshaped the Big 12 landscape. Multiple sources confirmed Kansas head coach Bill Self – a two-time national champion and Oklahoma State alumnus – “seriously considered” leaving the Jayhawks to lead his alma mater before declining the offer in March 2024. The Cowboys instead hired Western Kentucky’s Steve Lutz, who’s navigating a challenging inaugural season with a 13-13 record (5-10 Big 12) as of February 2025.
The Coaching Carousel Drama:
Tulsa World reports revealed Oklahoma State delayed Steve Lutz’s introductory press conference by five days while aggressively pursuing Self. The school allegedly offered a “competitive salary and player budget” to lure the Hall of Fame coach, who played for OSU from 1981-1985 and later served as an assistant under Eddie Sutton. Self ultimately refuted claims about overnight stays near Stillwater but admitted discussing program needs with administrators.
Lutz’s Rocky Start:
First-year coach Steve Lutz inherited a program still reeling from NCAA sanctions tied to former assistant Lamont Evans’ 2017 bribery scandal. The Cowboys have struggled defensively, allowing 72.8 PPG in conference play. Recent losses include narrow defeats to Houston (72-63) and TCU (73-72), though they’ve shown sparks with home wins over Arizona State (86-73) and Utah (81-72).
Key 2024-25 Season Stats:
- Record: 13-13 overall, 5-10 Big 12
- Home Performance: 10-5 at Gallagher-Iba Arena
- Top Scorer: G Bryce Thompson (17.2 PPG)
- Critical Issue: -3.1 rebound margin vs conference foes
Historical Context:
The Cowboys’ last NCAA Tournament win came in 2021 under previous coach Mike Boynton. Their storied history includes back-to-back national championships in 1945-46 under Henry Iba and six Final Four appearances. Current struggles contrast sharply with Kansas’ continued success – Self’s Jayhawks have made 21 straight NCAA tournaments since his 2003 arrival.
What’s Next:
Oklahoma State closes its regular season with crucial games against Baylor (March 1) and Cincinnati (March 8). With only three seniors on roster, Lutz’s focus turns to recruiting amid growing fan impatience – attendance has dropped 12% from Boynton’s final season.
