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Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff Writer
Oklahoma State has hired Western Kentucky‘s Steve Lutz as its men’s basketball coach, the school announced Monday.
Lutz had emerged as the focus of the Cowboys’ search last week.
He is coming off his third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, having led Western Kentucky to the Conference USA tournament title in his first season at the helm. It was the Hilltoppers’ first NCAA tournament appearance since 2013 and their 22 wins was their most since 2018.
Prior to replacing Rick Stansbury at Western Kentucky last spring, Lutz was the head coach at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for two seasons, going to the NCAA tournament in both campaigns. The Islanders hadn’t been to the NCAA tournament since 2007, but Lutz led them to the Southland Conference tournament title both seasons and a regular-season championship in 2022-23.
Lutz was a longtime Division I assistant coach before being hired at Corpus Christi, serving four seasons under Matt Painter at Purdue, seven seasons under Greg McDermott at Creighton and time on the staffs at SMU and Stephen F. Austin.
He replaces Mike Boynton, who was fired last month after seven seasons in Stillwater. The Cowboys made one NCAA tournament appearance under Boynton and produced the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft in Cade Cunningham.