Steve Lutz walked into Gallagher-Iba Arena with his wife, Shannon, and two of their children, McKenna and Jackson. Elder daughter Caroline had a prior commitment.

Steve Lutz Introduced as Oklahoma State Men's Basketball Coach

Family Support

“She’s where we all want to be,” said Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg before introducing Lutz as OSU's 21st men’s basketball coach. Lutz elaborated when he stood at the lectern during his Thursday news conference. Caroline works with Purdue's men’s basketball program as a student communications intern.

Key Takeaways

As Lutz strives to rebuild Cowboy basketball into a perennial postseason contender, top-seeded Purdue’s success offers evidence of a quality that intrigued Weiberg. Lutz, 51, stays invested in Purdue not only because his daughter is there, but also because he left a stamp on the program.

Recruiting Success

Lutz recruited several players at Purdue who have advanced to the Final Four with the Boilermakers, including Zach Edey, the 7-foot-4 senior center. Lutz has an eye for talent and knows how to win over prospects.

Consider the Context

Lutz, who spent the past season at Western Kentucky, continued to make a difference through recruiting after leaving Purdue. With several Cowboys in the transfer portal, Lutz strives to retain the players who remain on campus, while replenishing the roster with new recruits.