logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Sports
April 11, 2024
Lutz selected to lead Cowboy Basketball program
By COWBOYS BASKETBALL

Oklahoma State Director of Athletics Chad Weiberg has hired Steve Lutz as the school’s 21st head men’s basketball coach, pending board approval.

“Coach Lutz is known as one of the hardest-working coaches in the business,” Weiberg said. “He has worked at all levels of college basketball and has deep ties to this part of the country, especially Texas. The work he has put into his career has resulted in success as a head coach and why I believe he is the right person to be the leader of Cowboy Basketball.”

A rising star under Creighton’s Greg McDermott and a fifth-generation member of Henry Iba’s coaching tree (via Purdue’s Matt Painter), Lutz is off to a successful start to his own head coaching career with NCAA tournament appearances in each of his first three seasons.

In rapid rebuilds at Western Kentucky (2023-24) and Texas A&M Corpus Christi (2021-23), the 51-year-old has posted a combined 69-35 record, including a perfect 8-0 mark in conference tournament play.

“I’d like to thank Chad Weiberg and Dr. Shrum for entrusting me with one of college basketball’s most storied programs. It’s a responsibility that I don’t take lightly,” Lutz said. “Cowboy Nation — I look forward to meeting you all soon and hitting the ground running. Know that my staff and I will work diligently to recruit and retain hard working kids who will represent you well, on and off the court, and consistently compete for Big 12 championships.”

Lutz-led squads are known for playing hard and fast. WKU led the nation in adjusted tempo (75.1 possessions) this season while topping the Conference USA leaderboard in both points (80.6) and effective field goal percentage (54.6%). The Hilltoppers finished 22-13 and punched their first NCAA tournament ticket since 2013 after winning their first ever CUSA tournament title. Lutz worked similar magic in Corpus Christi with back-to-back bids, ending what had been a 15-year March Madness drought and a run of four straight losing seasons.

The Islanders were one of the nation’s most-improved teams in 202122, jumping from 5-19 to 23-12 with help from a dozen transfers and an aggressive, opportunistic defense that ranked among the NCAA leaders in steals (8.5) and forced turnovers (14th, 16.5). Lutz was a finalist for the 2022 Joe B. Hall Award (given to the nation’s top first-year head coach) after guiding his team to the Southland Conference tournament title as a No. 4 seed.

A&M-Corpus Christi took another step forward in 2022-23, finishing 24-11 (14-4) while pacing the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Lutz was a slam dunk choice for conference coach of the year after winning the school’s first SLC regular season title since 2007. The Islanders successfully defended their SLC tournament crown, then downed Southeast Missouri State in the First Four for the program’s first-ever win at the Big Dance.

Including his time as an assistant at Creighton (2010-17) and Purdue (2017-21), Lutz has coached in seven straight NCAA tournaments, highlighted by Sweet 16 and Elite Eight runs in 2018 and 2019.

Along the way, Lutz had a hand in the development of two national players of the year in Creighton’s Doug McDermott (2014) and Purdue’s Zach Edey (2023), whom he helped recruit to West Lafayette prior to his final season.

Under Painter, Lutz served as Purdue’s “defensive coordinator”, helping the Boilermakers to four consecutive top-35 finishes in KenPom’s defensive efficiency rankings, highlighted by an 11th place showing in 2020. He was also instrumental in the development of Purdue’s guards, including twotime All-American and Jerry West Award winner Carsen Edwards, and Jaden Ivy, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Purdue was 90-42 (.681) in Lutz’s four seasons on staff and won a share of the 2019 Big Ten regular season title.

In seven seasons at Creighton, Lutz was part of four NCAA tournament teams and one NIT quarterfinalist. The Bluejays put together a 166-82 record with two conference tournament championships and one regular season title while making a successful transition from the Missouri Valley Conference to the BIG EAST.

Lutz’s resume also includes stops at SMU (2006-10), Stephen F. Austin (2000-06), Garden City Community College (1999-00) and Incarnate Word (1995-99).

A class act, on and off the court, Lutz has also been a finalist for each of the last two Skip Prosser Man of the Year Awards, given to the head coach who achieves success while displaying strong moral character.

Originally from San Antonio, Lutz played collegiately at Texas Lutheran University, serving as team captain during his senior season while completing a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Secondary Education/Business Administration. He added a master’s in Physical Education from Incarnate Word in 1997.

Lutz and his wife, Shannon, have three children: Caroline, McKenna and Jackson.

Local church supports those with disabilities
A: Main, News...
Local church supports those with disabilities
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 17, 2025
Last week His Ability Ministries with Checotah First Assembly of God offered training for disability friendly churches with Lonnie and Janet Nance from Unlimited Ministries of Springfield, Missouri. L...
this is a test
Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
A: Main, News...
Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 17, 2025
Memorial Service for Bill Duvall Friday, July 18 at 11 a.m. First Baptist Church, Checotah When Bill Duvall was called to meet His Maker in the Great Round Up in the sky this past Sunday, Checotah los...
this is a test
Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
A: Main, News...
Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
July 17, 2025
Get ready for another funfilled weekend as the 41st Annual Whole Hawg Arts & Crafts Festival prepares to get underway, Friday and Saturday, July 25-26. The festival will consist of Arts & Crafts, a ro...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 17, 2025
Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service will be hel...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Man facing obscenity charges
July 17, 2025
Ryan Troy Dick, a 52-yearold Sallisaw resident, is being held in the McIntosh County Jail pending his preliminary hearing on charges related to indecent photographs and videos sent to a former girlfri...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Carey trial set on rape charge
July 17, 2025
Arnold Willard Carey Jr., 28, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on July 9 and his rape case was placed on the Sept. 29 sounding docket for the next trial. The McIntosh County resident has been...
this is a test
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
A: Main, News...
Juvenile dies following accident near Longtown
July 17, 2025
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that a juvenile, whose name and age are being withheld, was fatally injured in a single-vehicle accident that took place at about 10:30 p.m. on July 4. The deceased...
this is a test
Checotah bandies recognized at TMALA
News
Checotah bandies recognized at TMALA
July 17, 2025
Class of Checotah band students were recently recognized at Texoma Marching Arts and Leadership Academy (TMALA). TMALA Band Leadership was led by Ryan Edgmon, Director of Bands for Mustang Public Scho...
this is a test
Supporters walk to raise awareness against sexual assault
News
Supporters walk to raise awareness against sexual assault
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
July 17, 2025
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation held its Sexual Assault Awareness Walk (SAAM) last Friday, July 12, at 12 p.m. in Posey Park. The event was originally scheduled for April but was rained out. Community sup...
this is a test
News
Oktaha Trinity Baptist Church Vacation Bible School
July 17, 2025
The Great Jungle Journey An Epic Cruise from Genesis to Revelation July 21- 25 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Ages: 4-12 years Dinner will be provided.
this is a test
Preliminary hearing set for man charged with murder
News
Preliminary hearing set for man charged with murder
July 17, 2025
Following a competency hearing on July 9, Wilburton resident Glen Edward Calvin, 54, was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing in McIntosh County District Court at 2 p.m. Aug. 20. On a charge of...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy