Jim Littell won't return as the Oklahoma State women's basketball coach next season, the school announced Monday. Littell will still coach in the Big 12 tournament this week in Kansas City, Missouri.
Littell joined Oklahoma State as an assistant to Kurt Budke in 2005. When Budke and another assistant, Miranda Serna, were killed in a plane crash during a recruiting trip on Nov. 17, 2011, Littell was elevated to head coach. He led the Cowgirls to a 22-12 record and the WNIT championship that season. He has gone 203-139 in his 11 seasons, with six NCAA tournament berths.
Just last season, Littell was named Big 12 Coach of the Year for the second time after the Cowgirls finished tied for second in the league. They made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament, losing 73-62 to eventual champion Stanford. But this season they are 8-19 overall and 3-15 in the Big 12 heading into Thursday's first-round game against Texas Tech.
Last week, Littell told reporters he was planning on getting help for the 2022-23 season from the transfer portal with the intent of improving Oklahoma State's offense.
"We are greatly appreciative of the leadership and direction he has provided over the years, including shepherding our program through the most difficult circumstances imaginable," Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg said in a statement Monday. "However, after my discussions with coach over the past two days, he and I have mutually agreed that it is time for a new direction.
"We have truly competitive women's programs here at OSU, and our expectation is that we can have consistent success and provide a great experience for our student-athletes in Cowgirl Basketball as well."