Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus NC State on December 3, 2025 at TBA
TBA
Women's Basketball
vs NC State
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Women's Basketball
Neal, Michael
Michael Neal
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
Michael Neal will enter his fifth season on the Oklahoma bench in 2025-26 after joining Jennie Baranczyk’s staff upon her arrival in 2021.
In four seasons as an assistant coach under Baranczyk, Neal has helped guide the Sooners to two conference championships, four NCAA Tournament appearances and 15 All-Conference selections.
During the 2024-25 season, Neal helped lead Oklahoma to a 27-8 record and its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2013. The Sooners excelled in their SEC debut, finishing 11-5 in conference play, and Neal played a key role in the development of All-SEC selections Raegan Beers and Payton Verhulst. He also helped secure the nation’s No. 15 recruiting class.
In his third year on staff, Oklahoma captured the outright Big 12 championship — the program’s first since 2009 — and finished 23-10 overall. The Sooners reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament and had four players earn All-Big 12 recognition, highlighted by Skylar Vann’s Big 12 Co-Player of the Year honor and Payton Verhulst’s selection as Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.
Neal’s second season saw OU post a 14-4 record in conference play to earn a share of its first Big 12 title since 2009. Five players received postseason Big 12 recognition — the most in the league — including Madi Williams, who was a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team selection, and Skylar Vann, who earned Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year honors. The Sooners advanced to the NCAA second round for the second straight year.
In his first season at Oklahoma, Neal helped guide the Sooners to the program’s first NCAA second-round appearance since 2017. The team ranked third nationally in scoring (82.6 PPG), scored the second-most points in program history (2,808), and made a school-record 316 3-pointers. That season, OU swept Baylor and Oklahoma State and recorded four wins over ranked opponents — the most ever by a first-year staff.
Prior to joining the Sooners, Neal spent seven seasons as head coach of the Norman High School girls’ basketball team, leading the Lady Tigers to a 43-1 record over his final two seasons and Class 6A state championships in 2019 and 2021. He was named The Oklahoman’s 2021 Super 5 Coach of the Year and USA Today’s Oklahoma Coach of the Year.
A familiar face at Lloyd Noble Center, Neal played for the Oklahoma men’s basketball team during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. He averaged 11.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game and shot 37.5% from 3-point range with 136 career makes. He helped the Sooners to a 20-9 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006.
After his collegiate career, Neal played professionally in France and Germany with Saint-Quentin and the Düsseldorf Magics before returning to the U.S. to begin coaching.
Neal and his wife, LaToya, live in Norman with their two sons, Nash and Jude, and daughter, Emry.
THE NEAL FILE
In four seasons as an assistant coach under Baranczyk, Neal has helped guide the Sooners to two conference championships, four NCAA Tournament appearances and 15 All-Conference selections.
During the 2024-25 season, Neal helped lead Oklahoma to a 27-8 record and its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2013. The Sooners excelled in their SEC debut, finishing 11-5 in conference play, and Neal played a key role in the development of All-SEC selections Raegan Beers and Payton Verhulst. He also helped secure the nation’s No. 15 recruiting class.
In his third year on staff, Oklahoma captured the outright Big 12 championship — the program’s first since 2009 — and finished 23-10 overall. The Sooners reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament and had four players earn All-Big 12 recognition, highlighted by Skylar Vann’s Big 12 Co-Player of the Year honor and Payton Verhulst’s selection as Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.
Neal’s second season saw OU post a 14-4 record in conference play to earn a share of its first Big 12 title since 2009. Five players received postseason Big 12 recognition — the most in the league — including Madi Williams, who was a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team selection, and Skylar Vann, who earned Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year honors. The Sooners advanced to the NCAA second round for the second straight year.
In his first season at Oklahoma, Neal helped guide the Sooners to the program’s first NCAA second-round appearance since 2017. The team ranked third nationally in scoring (82.6 PPG), scored the second-most points in program history (2,808), and made a school-record 316 3-pointers. That season, OU swept Baylor and Oklahoma State and recorded four wins over ranked opponents — the most ever by a first-year staff.
Prior to joining the Sooners, Neal spent seven seasons as head coach of the Norman High School girls’ basketball team, leading the Lady Tigers to a 43-1 record over his final two seasons and Class 6A state championships in 2019 and 2021. He was named The Oklahoman’s 2021 Super 5 Coach of the Year and USA Today’s Oklahoma Coach of the Year.
A familiar face at Lloyd Noble Center, Neal played for the Oklahoma men’s basketball team during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. He averaged 11.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game and shot 37.5% from 3-point range with 136 career makes. He helped the Sooners to a 20-9 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006.
After his collegiate career, Neal played professionally in France and Germany with Saint-Quentin and the Düsseldorf Magics before returning to the U.S. to begin coaching.
Neal and his wife, LaToya, live in Norman with their two sons, Nash and Jude, and daughter, Emry.
THE NEAL FILE
Hometown: Mesquite, Texas
Alma Mater: Oklahoma (2007)
COACHING HISTORY
2021-Present: Assistant Coach, Oklahoma
2014-21: Head Girl’s Basketball Coach, Norman HS
2012-14: Assistant Boy’s Basketball Coach, Norman HS
COACHING HIGHLIGHTS
• Three NCAA Tournaments
• 2023, 2024 Big 12 Champions
• Two 6A OSSAA state championships
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
2005-07: Oklahoma
PLAYING HONORS
• 2006 NCAA Tournament
WBB Highlights: OU 96, Iowa 62
Monday, March 24
WBB Highlights: OU 81, Florida Gulf Coast 58
Saturday, March 22
WBB: March - Where Dreams Become Reality
Friday, March 21
WBB Highlights: OU 69, Kentucky 65
Friday, March 07
