Patty Gasso of Oklahoma has been appointed as the head coach for the USA women’s softball team leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as announced by the national program on Monday.

Gasso, a celebrated coach with eight national championships to her name at Oklahoma—four of which she has secured in succession—has been part of the national program since 2018 and is a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Historically, the USA softball team has enjoyed substantial success, clinching gold medals in 1996, 2000, and 2004. However, they faced setbacks in the gold medal matches against Japan in both 2008 and the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Gasso is eager to take on the challenge of restoring the team to its former glory.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Gasso shared, “Coaching Team USA is a truly exceptional moment for me and a lifelong dream realized. This honor stands as the pinnacle of my career, and I am grateful for the trust that USA Softball has shown in me. My passion is intense, and I am determined to elevate Team USA to its highest potential and secure a gold medal in 2028.”

The Olympic softball tournament is scheduled to take place at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, where Gasso has celebrated all her national title victories. Throughout her tenure at Oklahoma, her coaching record stands impressively at 1,515 wins against 352 losses and 2 ties.

USA Softball CEO Craig Cress and the selection committee are confident that Gasso’s past successes will translate to the national stage. “Coach Gasso has made a profound impact on the softball landscape and has been instrumental in the sport’s growth,” stated Cress. “We are optimistic that her expertise and experience will continue to advance our program, and we eagerly anticipate supporting her and the Women’s National Team as they aim to represent the country with pride in the future.”