It’s becoming increasingly likely that Oklahoma will be searching for a new head coach for its men’s basketball program once the season concludes.
The Sooners have struggled lately, losing six of their last seven games and posting a 1-6 record in February. This slump has dropped OU to 4-11 in SEC play and 17-11 overall. With only three regular-season games remaining, the team will need everything to fall in its favor to secure an NCAA Tournament bid without winning the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament.
If Oklahoma misses out on March Madness as expected, it would mark the fourth consecutive season without a tournament appearance under Porter Moser since he took over in 2021. At this point, the only things that could keep Moser in his role are an unexpected deep tournament run or his $7.5 million buyout.
Frustration among Sooner fans is growing, with many calling for a change and hoping the program doesn’t find itself in this same position in another four years. With that in mind, before diving into potential candidates, here are three coaching options OU should avoid when searching for Moser’s replacement.
Kelvin Sampson, Houston
Kelvin Sampson is the coach Sooner Nation has been hoping for the most, but ironically, he’s the one OU should avoid this time around.
Sampson has already had a stint with the Sooners, and like going back to an ex, it’s rarely a good idea. While there were good times, the reasons for the initial split still remain, and those issues are unlikely to be resolved as hoped.
One of the biggest challenges is that the same problems Sampson faced at OU before still exist. No matter how much success he brings to the basketball program, football will always be the top priority, and Sampson has never been content playing second fiddle.
While he has found success at every stop in his career, he has also left programs in difficult situations upon his departure, often amid controversy. If another breakup were to happen, OU could end up in an even worse position than it is now.
Beyond that, simply getting Sampson to return would be a major financial hurdle. The Sooners already have to account for Porter Moser’s $7.5 million buyout, and luring Sampson back would require a hefty salary, along with the necessary resources to bring in the talent he needs to succeed.
Buzz Williams, Texas A&M
Buzz Williams has accomplished exactly what Sooner Nation is hoping for—consistently leading Texas A&M to the NCAA Tournament.
Now in his sixth year with the Aggies, Williams is set to guide them to their third straight tournament appearance. However, his tenure may be coming to an end, which is why his name is surfacing as a potential candidate across college basketball.
Williams has a pattern of leaving programs shortly after establishing them as regular NCAA Tournament contenders. The Sooners don’t want a coach who is likely to move on just as the team is poised to take the next step—especially since Williams has never actually taken a program beyond that point.
Mick Cronin, UCLA
Mick Cronin has restored UCLA to its former glory, but with the program facing travel-heavy conference realignment and limited resources, many believe he could explore other coaching opportunities this offseason.
If money weren’t a factor, Cronin would be an excellent candidate for Oklahoma. However, finances play a major role.
After April 1, Cronin’s buyout is reportedly $10 million—an amount OU would have to pay on top of the $7.5 million owed to Porter Moser just to open the position. That’s $17.5 million before even considering the salary required to outbid other schools also vying for Cronin.
With more affordable coaching options available who could still lead the Sooners to success, spending that much simply isn’t a justifiable move.
