Nicole May has been named associate head coach for Oklahoma softball, marking a monumental return to the program she once starred for.
Nicole May’s return to Norman, Oklahoma, as the associate head coach of the Sooners softball program marks more than just a job title change—it represents the powerful full-circle journey of an elite athlete turned leader, rejoining the dynasty that helped define her career. For Oklahoma softball fans, her appointment isn’t just a coaching hire; it’s a homecoming of emotional and strategic significance. The former Sooner pitcher, who played an instrumental role in helping Oklahoma secure national championships during her collegiate career, now returns with fresh eyes, new experience, and an unrelenting drive to contribute to the future of a program that has already set the gold standard in college softball.
Nicole May’s tenure as a player under head coach Patty Gasso was defined by consistency, poise, and undeniable clutch performances on the mound. She was never one to seek the spotlight, but she had an uncanny ability to deliver when it mattered most. Over the course of her years with the Sooners, she grew into one of the most dependable pitchers on the roster, helping lead Oklahoma through grueling postseason battles and securing key victories that laid the foundation for the Sooners’ dynastic run. Her understanding of what it means to wear the crimson and cream is intimate and profound—something that simply can’t be taught, only lived.
What makes her appointment even more impactful is the continuity it offers within a program that thrives on culture and tradition. Gasso’s leadership has always emphasized not just performance, but character and accountability. By bringing May into a leadership position, Gasso ensures that those values are preserved and passed down with authenticity. May understands the unrelenting expectations, the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the Women’s College World Series, and the responsibility that comes with representing a school where excellence is the baseline, not the ceiling.
Since concluding her playing career, May has been quietly preparing for this very moment. After graduating from Oklahoma, she embraced the coaching path with the same work ethic and intensity that defined her as an athlete. Whether it was working behind the scenes with pitchers or absorbing knowledge from some of the most respected coaches in the game, she has spent every moment refining her craft, sharpening her strategic mindset, and learning how to mold young talent. She didn’t take shortcuts or leapfrog the process. She put in the time, and now she returns to Oklahoma ready to elevate the next generation of Sooners.
Her return also brings a significant boost to the Sooners’ recruiting pitch. May is a living testament to what Oklahoma softball can do for a young athlete’s career. Her journey—from high school phenom to collegiate champion to a rising coaching star—resonates with both players and their families. She knows how to identify potential, nurture it, and hold athletes accountable to the highest standard. Her voice, once heard inside the circle, will now echo from the dugout as she helps shape the team’s pitching strategy, culture, and leadership development.
There’s also the tactical advantage. May’s familiarity with Oklahoma’s systems, facilities, and coaching methodologies gives her a unique edge in day-to-day operations. She knows how to operate in a high-pressure, championship-or-bust environment. More importantly, she understands the nuanced demands of pitching within that structure. In an era where pitchers face increasingly advanced hitters and higher stakes, having someone like May—who has literally stood on that rubber with everything on the line—offers an inestimable advantage.
But her return isn’t just about what happens on the field. May represents a powerful symbol for the next wave of women in sports leadership. Softball, like many women’s sports, has seen incredible growth in visibility and support in recent years, but leadership roles—especially at premier programs—still carry disproportionate pressure. For a young former athlete like May to step into such a high-ranking coaching role so early in her career is a meaningful signal of progress. It shows that programs are investing in former players not just as figureheads, but as transformative leaders.
This decision also speaks volumes about Patty Gasso’s vision for the future of the program. Gasso, already regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of college softball, has built a culture that transcends individual talent. She builds legacies. By bringing May back as associate head coach, she’s not just adding a familiar face to the bench—she’s identifying and empowering the next tier of leaders who will eventually carry the program forward. Gasso has always been thoughtful in succession planning, and May’s return feels like a continuation of that philosophy. It’s about sustainability, about ensuring that Oklahoma’s dominance endures not just through recruiting and championships, but through leadership lineage.
The timing of the move also couldn’t be better. With NIL, the transfer portal, and increased national parity all reshaping the college softball landscape, Oklahoma needs every competitive advantage it can muster to maintain its edge. In May, they get a coach who can not only relate to players on a deeply personal level but also navigate the new challenges of the modern era. She knows what it’s like to compete in a roster full of stars. She knows what it’s like to grind through an SEC-caliber schedule. And most of all, she knows what it takes to win—consistently, and at the highest level.
There’s a certain poetic rhythm to her story. As a player, she stood in the circle under the brightest lights, representing the program with resilience and excellence. Now, as a coach, she returns to guide others through that same journey. Few athletes get the opportunity to return to their alma mater in such a meaningful way. Even fewer do so with the combination of humility and expertise that May brings to the table.
Fans of the program, many of whom remember May’s crucial performances with admiration and gratitude, will welcome her back with open arms. Her return is not just a sentimental choice; it’s a calculated move designed to reinforce what Oklahoma softball does best—winning with integrity, passion, and relentless drive. The players will benefit from a mentor who’s walked in their shoes, felt their nerves, and conquered their fears. The coaching staff gains a colleague who understands the pulse of the program. And the university reaffirms its commitment to nurturing homegrown talent, not just on the field, but in leadership.
There will be challenges, of course. The associate head coach role is one of immense responsibility. She’ll be expected to contribute not only to in-game strategy and player development but also to recruiting, compliance, culture building, and media responsibilities. But May is not walking into this blindly. She’s been preparing, learning, and watching. And most importantly, she’s returning to a place that knows her, believes in her, and trusts her to carry the torch.
As the Sooners look ahead to another title chase, the presence of Nicole May on the bench will be a steadying, familiar force. Her voice will guide the pitchers through long bullpens and tense matchups. Her perspective will add depth to game plans and team meetings. Her story will inspire younger athletes to believe in the process. And her legacy, now entering a new chapter, will continue to intertwine with the most dominant program in the sport.
Nicole May’s appointment as associate head coach is more than just a nod to her past—it’s a clear-eyed investment in Oklahoma softball’s future. A future where tradition meets innovation. A future where leadership is cultivated from within. A future where championship banners continue to rise in Norman—and where one of their architects, now a coach, plays a vital role in building what comes next.
