New Oklahoma basketball coach Porter Moser and OU athletic director Joe Castiglione released statements Saturday morning on the new hire.
Oklahoma has landed their new head basketball coach as after it was reported yesterday, it was officially announced by the school Saturday morning that Loyola Chicago’s Porter Moser would be making the leap to the Big 12 to take over the Sooners.
A hot commodity on the coaching market who had interest from numerous places, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione found a way to land Moser in a fashion somewhat similar to the way he got Lon Kruger to come aboard a decade ago. It wasn’t a slam dunk move, it took some convincing given Moser’s options on the table and the lengths by which Loyola Chicago was willing to go to keep him – but Castiglione got his man.
With the hiring made official, Moser released his first statement as the new head coach of the Sooners:
“Our family is so excited and honored to join the Sooner family,” said Moser. “Joe Castiglione has a reputation for building championship programs at the University of Oklahoma. I’ve always said there are reasons why you win. If you look at the standards that the programs at Oklahoma have set, there are reasons why they’ve won. The coaches, infrastructure and community are all championship caliber. You just want to be a part of that. To play in a premiere league like the Big 12 and be a part of this championship culture excites me.
“I have so much respect for Coach Kruger. He’s one of the icons of our profession. The fact that he was at Oklahoma shows that OU covets character. He’s everything that young coaches should aspire to. He’s all about winning the right way. I look forward to continuing that blueprint and continuing the blueprint we had at Loyola: winning the right way.
“I’m thrilled to join a program that is so focused on culture, people and excellence. I’m looking forward to diving in and building relationships with our players, the other coaches and the OU community.”
Castiglione also offered some words on the hiring:
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce and welcome Porter Moser as our next great OU head coach,” said Castiglione. “As we dug deep into the backgrounds of candidates, his attributes, acumen and record of success totally aligned with what we were seeking. He’s a purposeful and proven leader who prioritizes positive culture, accountability, academics, player development, innovation, transparent communication and a holistic approach to the student-athlete experience.
“Porter is also a bright, energetic and tireless recruiter who will similarly engage all stakeholders related to the future success of Oklahoma men’s basketball. His wife Megan, daughter Jordan and sons Jake, Max and Ben complete an all-star team and are emblematic of the family environment and values he wants to carry on within our program. We can’t wait to get them to campus.”
Moser’s former team also had a very classy response to the news on Twitter as well:
University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr. also chimed in:
“We’re so happy to welcome Coach Moser and his family to the OU family,” said OU president Joseph Harroz Jr. “He has had storied success at Loyola Chicago both on the court and in his positive impact in the lives of his student-athletes. It’s a thrill that he will bring that same energy and excitement to Sooner Nation.”
Now that Oklahoma has their new head coach, the work can begin at reconstructing a roster that has been ravaged already in the early stages of the offseason. How Moser handles that in terms of landing transfers and possibly luring some players back will be the first big task for him in his Sooners tenure.
Sooners Wire will continue to provide updates all throughout what has been an unforgettable offseason for Oklahoma basketball.
