Former OU Coach Sherri Coale Speaks at SSC Fall In-Service

Josh Hutton

Former University of Oklahoma women’s basketball Head Coach Sherri Coale shared lessons from her career and reflections on living intentionally during Seminole State College’s fall in-service on Aug. 12.

Coale presented her keynote, “Time Well Spent,” to approximately 140 full-time SSC faculty and staff in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center’s Utterback Ballroom.

Throughout the presentation, Coale drew from her experiences as a coach, educator and leader to discuss the importance of being intentional with time and recognizing the influence people can have on those around them. She encouraged employees to consider how they invest their time, build relationships and approach the opportunities they are given.

Her message complemented the purpose of SSC’s annual fall in-service, which brings employees together before the start of the academic year for professional development, institutional updates and preparation for the semester ahead.

In this photo, Former University of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Head Coach Sherri Coale poses for a picture with Seminole State College coaches and athletics staff following her Aug. 12 keynote at SSC’s fall in-service. Pictured from left are Women’s Soccer Head Coach Dan Hill, Softball Head Coach Amber Flores, Baseball Head Coach Mack Chambers, Coale, Women’s Basketball Head Coach Rita Story-Schell, Men’s Basketball Head Coach Austin Bogle, Athletic Director Leslie Sewell, Golf and Cross-Country Head Coach Ronnie Williamson and Volleyball Head Coach Bobbi Leitha.
Former University of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Head Coach Sherri Coale met with Seminole State College coaches and athletics staff following her Aug. 12 keynote at SSC’s fall in-service. Pictured from left are Women’s Soccer Head Coach Dan Hill, Softball Head Coach Amber Flores, Baseball Head Coach Mack Chambers, Coale, Women’s Basketball Head Coach Rita Story-Schell, Men’s Basketball Head Coach Austin Bogle, Athletic Director Leslie Sewell, Golf and Cross-Country Head Coach Ronnie Williamson and Volleyball Head Coach Bobbi Leitha.

Later that afternoon, Coale met with members of SSC’s athletics staff for an informal discussion focused on coaching, leadership and the challenges student-athletes face. SSC coaches shared experiences from their own programs and had the opportunity to ask Coale questions and draw on the perspective she developed during more than two decades leading a collegiate basketball program.

Coale served as head coach of the University of Oklahoma women’s basketball program for 25 seasons from 1996 to 2021. She became the winningest coach in program history and led the Sooners to three NCAA Final Four appearances, including a trip to the national championship game in 2002. Her teams also captured six Big 12 regular-season championships and four Big 12 tournament titles. Coale was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and was selected as a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Before joining OU, Coale coached at Norman High School, where she led the girls’ basketball program to two state championships. A native of Healdton, she graduated summa cum laude from Oklahoma Christian College and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

SSC’s fall semester begins Aug. 17.

In this photo, Former University of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Head Coach Sherri Coale delivers her keynote, “Time Well Spent,” during Seminole State College’s fall in-service on Aug. 12 in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center’s Utterback Ballroom.
Former University of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Head Coach Sherri Coale delivers her keynote, “Time Well Spent,” during Seminole State College’s fall in-service on Aug. 12 in the Enoch Kelly Haney Center’s Utterback Ballroom.