OU Softball Turns to Former Pitcher Karlie Keeney as Interim Pitching Coach

With Jennifer Rocha stepping away due to health issues, Patty Gasso called on Keeney to fill the role just days before the season opener.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Just five days before the start of the Oklahoma softball season, head coach Patty Gasso faced a crisis when pitching coach Jennifer Rocha stepped away from the program due to serious health issues. Gasso quickly reached out to former OU pitcher Karlie Keeney, who had been a student assistant under Rocha last season, and convinced her to return to Norman and take over as the interim pitching coach. Keeney, described as a "disciple" of Rocha, helped the Sooners open the season 3-1 with strong pitching performances.

Why it matters

Rocha has been a hugely influential figure in the OU softball program, helping guide the team to six straight Women's College World Series appearances and four consecutive national championships from 2021-2024. Her sudden absence left a major void that Gasso needed to fill quickly, and Keeney's familiarity with Rocha's system and approach made her the ideal choice to step in on short notice.

The details

Gasso reached out to former OU catcher Tiare Jennings, who was attending a wedding in Dallas with other recent Sooners alumni, and asked her to get Keeney to come to Norman immediately. Keeney, who had been finishing school and giving pitching lessons in Kentucky, agreed without hesitation to take on the interim role. Over the opening weekend, Keeney helped the Sooners defeat Arizona twice and Arizona State once, with sophomore pitcher Audrey Lowry allowing only one earned run in 14 innings.

  • On the Saturday night before the season opener, Gasso called Tiare Jennings to find Karlie Keeney.
  • Five days before the season, OU pitching coach Jennifer Rocha stepped away from the program due to serious health issues.

The players

Patty Gasso

The head coach of the Oklahoma softball team, who needed to quickly find a replacement for pitching coach Jennifer Rocha.

Jennifer Rocha

The OU pitching coach who stepped away from the program due to serious health issues, just days before the season opener.

Karlie Keeney

A former OU pitcher who was a student assistant under Rocha last season, and was brought in as the interim pitching coach to fill Rocha's role.

Tiare Jennings

A former OU catcher who Gasso called to help locate Keeney and convince her to return to Norman.

Audrey Lowry

A sophomore pitcher for OU who had a strong opening weekend with Keeney as the interim pitching coach.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“She is a student, a disciple, of Coach Rocha. She knows the system. She knows how to call like her. She understands how to set up hitters like Jen Rocha. So that's the closest thing I could get to her in this pinch.”

— Patty Gasso, Head Coach, Oklahoma Softball (The Oklahoman)

“I was with Karlie last year, so I have more of a personal connection with her and she's great. She knows her stuff, especially working behind coach Rocha last year. So it's awesome to have her back.”

— Audrey Lowry, Sophomore Pitcher, Oklahoma Softball (The Oklahoman)

“(Keeney learned) how to work with us mentally (last season). Because being a pitcher, it's mentally challenging, so you have to be strong in that space.”

— Audrey Lowry, Sophomore Pitcher, Oklahoma Softball (The Oklahoman)

What’s next

Gasso and the Sooners will continue to lean on Keeney's expertise as the interim pitching coach while they await Rocha's return, with the hope that she can help the team maintain its high level of success on the mound.

The takeaway

Gasso's quick action to bring in a familiar face in Karlie Keeney to fill the void left by Jennifer Rocha's absence underscores the importance of having a strong support system and contingency plan in place, even for a program as successful as Oklahoma softball. Keeney's familiarity with Rocha's coaching methods has allowed for a seamless transition and helped the Sooners get off to a strong start to the season.