Longtime AD Joe Castiglione Announces Future Retirement.

In a heartfelt and historic announcement, longtime University of Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione has officially declared his plans to retire in the coming year, bringing to a close one of the most remarkable careers in collegiate athletics. Castiglione, who has served as OU’s athletic director since 1998, shared his decision with university leadership, coaches, athletes, and fans during a press conference held at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Standing at a podium surrounded by family, former athletes, and longtime colleagues, Castiglione expressed both pride and gratitude for a tenure that has spanned nearly three decades and transformed Oklahoma into one of the most respected athletic departments in the nation.

“This is not a goodbye,” Castiglione began, his voice cracking with emotion. “It’s a thank you. Thank you to the University of Oklahoma for believing in me, for allowing me the honor to serve, and for walking alongside me through the wins and the losses, through every season of this incredible journey.”

Castiglione, 67, will continue to serve through the 2025 academic year, assisting with the transition to his successor and continuing key initiatives such as Oklahoma’s move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), a groundbreaking development that he helped negotiate.

Though speculation about his retirement had circulated for years, the official confirmation sent waves through the college athletics community. National media figures, coaches, university presidents, and student-athletes immediately took to social media to reflect on Castiglione’s impact and legacy.

Joe Castiglione’s tenure at Oklahoma is a textbook case in transformational leadership. When he arrived from the University of Missouri in 1998, few could have predicted the scope of change he would bring—not only to OU athletics but to the broader NCAA landscape.

Under his leadership, Oklahoma teams have won 24 national championships across sports, including titles in football, softball, gymnastics, and men’s and women’s golf. Perhaps more impressively, the Sooners have captured more than 100 Big 12 conference championships in that span.

Beyond the trophies and banners, Castiglione has been lauded for building a culture of integrity, academic excellence, and innovation. He prioritized the student-athlete experience, emphasizing personal development, mental health resources, and academic success. OU student-athletes have posted some of the highest graduation rates in the country under his watch.

He also spearheaded over $800 million in athletic facility upgrades and expansions, helping to modernize nearly every athletic venue on campus, including the renovation of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the construction of the state-of-the-art Love’s Field for softball.

One of Castiglione’s earliest and most defining decisions came just months after he was hired: the appointment of a little-known defensive coordinator named Bob Stoops as head football coach. That gamble paid off spectacularly. In just his second season, Stoops led the Sooners to a national championship in 2000, reigniting the program’s storied football tradition and setting the tone for decades of sustained success.

Stoops, who was present at Tuesday’s announcement, called Castiglione “the most visionary and trusted leader in college sports.”

“He gave me my shot,” Stoops said. “Everything I was able to accomplish in my career started with Joe believing in me. He’s not just a leader—he’s a mentor, a friend, and someone who never made it about himself.”

Other notable hires during Castiglione’s tenure include Patty Gasso, the legendary softball coach who has led the Sooners to eight national titles, and gymnastics coaches Mark Williams and K.J. Kindler, whose programs have won multiple NCAA titles and Olympic medals. The consistency of leadership, talent development, and championship culture under Castiglione’s oversight is virtually unmatched.

Over the past two decades, Castiglione has steered the athletic department through seismic changes. From the realignment of the Big 12 Conference to the NCAA’s shift to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation, he has consistently been ahead of the curve, offering measured, forward-thinking strategies.

Most notably, he played a central role in OU’s 2021 decision to join the SEC, arguably the most powerful conference in college sports. That bold move, made in tandem with then-President Joe Harroz and Texas officials, is set to reshape the competitive landscape and enhance OU’s national profile.

“Joe was instrumental in helping OU take that giant leap,” Harroz said. “He did it thoughtfully, with integrity, and with an eye toward where college sports are heading—not just where they’ve been.”

While he enjoyed tremendous success, Castiglione also faced challenges. His tenure included moments of controversy, including coaching changes, Title IX debates, and the recent chaos of the transfer portal and NIL. But through it all, he maintained a calm, principled demeanor and an unwavering commitment to doing what he believed was best for the university.

Known affectionately by colleagues and fans as “Joe C,” Castiglione has cultivated deep relationships across the university and the broader Norman community. He is frequently seen at games, practices, and even student events unrelated to sports, greeting everyone with warmth and humility.

He and his wife, Kristen, raised their two sons—Joseph Jr. and Jonathan—in Norman. He has often spoken about the university as an extension of his family, and his personal investment in the lives of student-athletes is widely acknowledged.

Former football players recalled receiving handwritten notes from Castiglione after injuries, graduations, or personal milestones. One athlete, now an NFL player, shared that Castiglione was the first person to visit him in the hospital after he suffered a career-ending injury.

“Joe Castiglione isn’t just an AD,” the athlete wrote. “He’s the heart of OU.”

Though Castiglione will officially retire in summer 2025, he has committed to staying on as an advisor through the end of that year to help ensure a seamless transition. The university is expected to launch a national search for his successor in the fall, with speculation already mounting about internal candidates such as Executive Associate AD Zach Selmon or high-profile external candidates with ties to Oklahoma.

OU President Harroz indicated that the search would reflect the university’s commitment to excellence, culture, and character. “We are not just looking for an administrator,” Harroz said. “We are looking for someone who can carry forward the legacy that Joe Castiglione built from the ground up.”

While Castiglione said he has no immediate plans post-retirement, he hinted at continuing to work in mentorship or advisory roles and expressed a desire to spend more time with his family and travel.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “You’ll still see me in the stands, still wearing crimson, still yelling ‘Boomer!’ and waiting to hear you say ‘Sooner!’”

As Castiglione concluded his remarks, the room rose in a standing ovation. Former athletes, staff members, media, and students alike understood the significance of the moment.

Joe Castiglione redefined what it means to be an athletic director. He didn’t just manage a department—he built a dynasty rooted in character, compassion, and competitive excellence.

His retirement marks the end of an era not just for Oklahoma but for college athletics as a whole. As the landscape continues to shift in unprecedented ways, Joe C’s influence will undoubtedly endure—in every athlete he mentored, every coach he hired, and every fan who walked into a game knowing their university stood for something greater.

And as OU steps into its SEC future, it does so on the foundation he so carefully laid.

“Legacies are not built on moments,” Castiglione said in closing, “but on values, relationships, and the belief that together we can achieve greatness. I’m grateful beyond words that I got to live that legacy with all of you.”