OSU Women’s Basketball Coach Credits God for NCAA Tournament Game

Published: August 30, 2023

OSU Women’s Basketball Coach Credits God for NCAA Tournament Game

By Movieguide® Contributor

Oklahoma State Women’s Basketball’s Jacie Hoyt led her team to the NCAA tournament in her first season as the team’s head coach, crediting her success to God.

In an interview with The 700 Club, Hoyt described why winning is so important to her.

“I feel that God put this competitive spirit in my heart, and I want to be a leader that shows my players that if you’re going to do something you need to do it with the absolute best that you can,” Hoyt said.

“Injuries derailed her college career. The pandemic took away her best chance of coaching in the NCAA Tournament. Yet, Hoyt knew God was at work through it all,” SportsSpectrum reported.

“Jacie Hoyt was introduced as the head coach of Oklahoma State women’s basketball on March 20, 2022,” her biography reads on OSU’s website. “Jacie…play[ed] collegiately at Wichita State. In addition to leading the Kansas City program, Hoyt’s coaching career includes stops at Fort Hays State, Nevada and Kansas State.”

Hoyt is open about her faith, and her Instagram bio reads, “Love me some Jesus.”

On her 35th birthday, she reflected on how God has worked in her career as a coach.

“A big birthday for me yesterday…35! It was definitely my most memorable birthday to date because over the last two weeks I’ve been living out my wildest dreams since being named HC for the Oklahoma State Cowgirls. God has written the most amazing story for me, and it still makes me emotional how he has brought everything full circle in my life. The part of the story I want to share is something that happened 5 years ago.”

She shared how she interviewed for the head coach position at UMKC five years before and was unsure if she would get the position due to her faith. Hoyt received the position, adding, “I didn’t have an impressive resume or a lot of experience I could talk about…but God had a plan for me.”

Now, “I get to be at my dream school surrounded by people who once again believe in me,” she added. “I get to openly share with others what God has done in my life, which means everything to me because all of my success is not my doing, it’s God working through me. He has brought players and coaches into my life that I will never forget. They’ve helped me grow and I’ve helped them. It’s been a magical ride, and I know there’s SO much more to be written.”

“The overall takeaway for me, and I hope for others, is to never stifle or hide who you are or what you believe in for fear of what others will think,” Hoyt concluded. “Be bold, be courageous, work hard, and then watch God be God. When He has a plan there’s nothing that can stop it…even though at times it may not feel pleasant. If I had kept my mouth shut on that 30th birthday I don’t believe I would be wearing orange on my 35th…Praise Jesus!”

Hoyt will enter her second season with OSU and plans to lead her team to another NCAA tournament appearance.