Men's Basketball 5/13/2019 2:30:00 PM

Patel steps down as OCU coach

Patel takes Northwestern Oklahoma State coaching position

ALVA, Okla. – Vinay Patel has left his position as Oklahoma City University head men's basketball to become head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State.
Patel posted an 82-42 record in four seasons with three consecutive 20-win seasons, four national-tournament appearances plus two round of 16 appearances the past two years directing the Stars. OCU athletic director Jim Abbott will launch a national search to find Patel's successor.
Patel directed OCU to the 2019 Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament title and the 2017-18 SAC regular-season title. He became the John Hudson SAC coach of the year and Oklahomasports.net coach of the year in 2017-18. Patel took three Hoopdirt.com coach of the week awards. He owns an 88-56 mark in his fifth year overall as a head coach.
In 2018-19, four Stars collected all-conference honors. Chris Williams took second-team all-American, SAC newcomer of the year, first-team all-SAC and SAC Tournament most valuable player. Patel mentored four all-Americans, 15 all-SAC selections, the SAC player of the year, SAC newcomer of the year, two conference defensive player of the year award winners, four academic all-conference recipients and a Dark Horse Dunker finalist at OCU.
Patel spearheaded OCU to its first SAC Tournament championship in six years, its first SAC regular-season crown and NAIA Tournament win in 10 years and first 20-win season in nine years.
"I would also like to thank everyone at OCU for the past four years," Patel said. There is no question that I would not have this opportunity without their commitment to excellence on and off the floor."
Prior to his time at Oklahoma City, Patel served as an assistant under Justin Barkley at Rogers State, helping the Hillcats to a 20-8 record in 2014-15. He started his coaching career at West Texas A&M as a graduate assistant, working his way up the bench to ultimately serve as the interim head coach the final three months of the 2013-14 season. WT was 164-93 in Patel's eight seasons on staff, with five NCAA Division II tournament appearances.
Patel, a native of Shamrock, Texas, received his master of science in sports and exercise science degree from WTAMU in 2007, and holds a bachelor of science degree in exercise and sports science from Texas Tech.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Chris Williams: G; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#2 Chris Williams
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G

Players Mentioned

#2 Chris Williams

Players Mentioned

#2 Chris Williams