Long-time OU Athletic Director set to retire
NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) – University of Oklahoma Athletics Director Joe Castiglione will make a public announcement about his retirement Tuesday morning. The university said the longtime AD has decided to step down after nearly 30 years in the position.
“There’s a reason Joe has been called the Best Athletics Director in the Country: Because no one has done it better,” said Joseph Harroz, president of the University of Oklahoma.
Castiglione will retire during the upcoming school year but has plans to stay with the university until June 20, 2028. He will help find his replacement, make sure the transition runs smoothly, and work on fundraising.
He joined the Sooners in 1998. Since then OU has one 26 national titles and 117 conference championships. Castiglione was also instrumental in sending the Sooners to the SEC.
"The first dream we'd have would be, being on a podium someday soon with Commissioner Sankey handing one of our teams, if not many of our teams at some point, the Southeastern Conference championship trophy," said Castiglione in July, 2024 as the Sooners entered into the SEC.
Fans News 4 spoke to on Monday had not heard the news yet. Tracy Holman owns Beauty and Designz Barber Shop across the street from OU’s football stadium. He said he often gets players coming through his shop for a haircut or just to hang out. Their autographs line the walls inside the store. Holman’s love for the Sooners is also displayed in each corner. He called himself a “huge fan.”
He had not heard the news of Castiglione’s retirement when KFOR talked to him Monday.
"I didn't know that,” said Holman, who said he had a ‘we trust in Joe’ shirt in his closet. "I know he's done a great job and I know, if he's happy, then it's just time for him to go on, I guess. But I thank him for everything he's done for us."
Castiglione will publicly announce his decision in a press conference Tuesday at Gaylor Memorial Stadium at 9 a.m.