Oklahoma has hired Porter Moser as its next head basketball coach, the university announced Saturday morning.
𝘼 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧.We are proud to welcome @PorterMoser as the next head coach at Oklahoma. #BoomerSooner ➡️ https://t.co/JHyLb17EF7 pic.twitter.com/OEYCoZ4lXb
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) April 3, 2021
The former Loyola-Chicago head coach became a leading candidate for the position Thursday night. CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein and others reported Friday the Sooners were closing in on a deal with Moser.
According to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander, Moser's agreement with OU is for six years. Moser, 52, fills the position Lon Kruger held for 10 seasons. Kruger retired March 25 with a 674-432 career head coaching record and a 195-128 record at OU.
Porter Moser’s on his way to Oklahoma, sources have confirmed, adding that the deal is for six years. Moser spent the past two days weighing the decision.Credit to @joehoopsreport, who was the first to report Moser was leaving.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 2, 2021
"I'm thrilled to join a program that is focused on culture, people and excellence," Moser said in a Saturday morning press release. "I'm looking forward to diving in and building relationships with our players, the other coaches and the OU community."
With the Ramblers, Moser went 188-141 in 10 seasons. Prior to being hired at Loyola in 2011, he served as an assistant coach at Saint Louis under Rick Majerus for four seasons. Before that, Moser served as the head coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Illinois State from 2001-03 and 2003-07, respectively. Moser finished with a combined 105-101 record at both schools.
The Naperville, Illinois, native led the Ramblers to a 26-5 record and the Missouri Valley conference regular season and tournament championship in 2020. That marked the second time during Moser’s tenure that Loyola accomplished both feats in the same season. The Ramblers ended the season with a 65-58 loss to Oregon State in the Sweet Sixteen.
Loyola reached the Final Four under Moser in 2018. He also produced 12 all-conference selections and three Missouri Valley Player of the Year winners in his time with the Ramblers.
"As we dug deep into the backgrounds of candidates, his attributes, acumen and record of success totally aligned with what we were seeking," OU athletics director Joe Castiglione said of Moser in the release. "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."
Moser inherits an OU team that will likely be without its leading scorer from a year ago in guard Austin Reaves, who declared for the 2021 NBA Draft on March 31. The Sooners’ second leading scorer, De’Vion Harmon, also declared for the draft March 26. However, if undrafted, both have the option to return to OU for the 2021 season.
Senior Alondes Williams has yet to indicate whether or not he will exercise his extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19. If declined, he would join the list of notable Sooner departures this offseason, which includes forward Kur Kuarth, guard Trey Phipps, forward Anyang Garang, forward Victor Iwuakor and forward Brady Manek.
OU adds freshmen guards Bijan Cortes and C.J. Noland next season. The Sooners are also slated to return forward Jale Hill along with guards Umoja Gibson and Elijah Harkless, among others.
