SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist University has named
Bo Overton as the new head coach of the Bison women's basketball program.
Overton comes to OBU following a five year tenure at Oklahoma City University and has coached at all levels including the Chinese National Team, the WNBA, the University of Oklahoma, Louisiana Tech University, Oral Roberts University, and Murray State College.
Overton guided Oklahoma City University to a 145-24 record (.885 winning percentage), the 2017 NAIA Division I championship, an appearance in the 2019 national championship game, four Sooner Athletic Conference regular-season championships, and two SAC Tournament titles over the past five years.
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association added 2019-20 NAIA coach of the year to Overton's list of accolades as announced Monday. Overton had been named 2017 NAIA coach of the year and John Hudson SAC coach of the year twice. Overton's overall record coaching women's basketball stands at 167-71 (.702 winning percentage) in eight years.
In 2019-20, the Stars went 30-2 and shared the SAC regular-season championship. OCU held onto the No. 1 spot in the NAIA rankings for three polls and started off 27-0.
As OCU coach, Overton mentored five all-Americans, the 2017 and 2018 WBCA NAIA player of the year. The Stars collected 19 all-conference honors, five SAC player of the year awards, two SAC newcomer of the year accolades, two SAC freshman of the year nods and one SAC defensive player of the year award during Overton's tenure. Off the floor, OCU took three NAIA scholar-athlete awards, 16 academic all-conference honors and one SAC sportsmanship award.
He served as an assistant coach for the Chinese national team in the 2012 Olympics.
Overton's last coaching stint in Oklahoma came during an ultra successful run as Sherri Coale's assistant at the University of Oklahoma. During that time, the Sooners advanced to the 2002 NCAA championship game.
From 1998-2004, Overton contributed to Oklahoma's establishment as a dominant program. OU went 143-54 with five NCAA Tournament bids, three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, the 2002 NCAA Final Four berth, a 1999 WNIT appearance, three Big 12 regular-season titles and two conference tournament crowns. The Sooners had five all-Americans and three Big 12 player of the year recipients during that time.
Overton has a wide array of coaching experience, establishing a reputation as a top talent evaluator and recruiter. Overton has head-coaching experience, leading Dynamo Kursk in Russia, Guangdong and Liaoning of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association, the Chicago Sky of the WNBA in 2007 and Missouri-Kansas City from 2004-06. He also served as assistant for the Bahama national team.
Overton was head men's basketball coach and athletic director at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla. Coaching men, Overton has been an assistant at Oral Roberts, Texas State and Louisiana Tech.
During his playing career, Overton became a 1983 draft pick of the Phoenix Suns after competing for Billy Tubbs and Dave Bliss at Oklahoma. Overton finished his OU career among the Sooners' all-time assist leaders. He played and coached professionally for Pensacola of the Continental Basketball Association.
