How did OU athletic director Joe Castiglione impact Sooners? We examine five achievements

NORMAN — Joe Castiglione is set to announce Tuesday in a news conference he’ll be stepping down as OU’s athletic director.

He plans to continue his role as AD until his successor has been named before serving as emeritus AD until June 30, 2028. Few administrators have enjoyed the success Castiglione shepherded with the Sooners.

1. Hiring Bob Stoops, the winningest coach in program history

Months after Castiglione took the OU job he was tasked with conducting the Sooners’ third head coaching change in 48 months.

Following the Howard Schnellenberger and John Blake eras, OU needed to nail its next hire. Castiglione did just that, calling on Florida defensive coordinator Bob Stoops. 

In 18 seasons, Stoops led the Sooners to 10 Big 12 titles, four national championship game appearances and the 2000 BCS title. 

Castiglione’s decision to hire Stoops began a run of 26 consecutive bowl games and set the standard of success that ultimately defined Castiglione’s tenure. 

2. Stabilizing athletic department finances 

In addition to a struggling football team, Castiglione walked into a financial tangle at OU.

The Sooners were in debt. Today, OU is one of the few remaining self-sustaining departments in the country.

OU closed the books in the black in each of Castiglione’s first 22 years, including the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, and again in 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24. 

3. Guiding OU through move to Southeastern Conference

OU changed forever when, in 2021, after 28 seasons in the Big 12, Castiglione recommended OU president Joseph Harroz Jr. and the university’s Board of Regents seek membership in the Southeastern Conference.

The move — orchestrated with Texas —  helped kickstart a wave of conference realignment across the country. After negotiating an agreeable earlier exit from the Big 12, OU entered the SEC officially on July 1, 2024.

 Castiglione, who played a significant role in helping form the Big 12, secured strong future stability for the university ahead of unprecedented changes in college athletics.

4. Leading the historic rise of successful women’s athletic programs on campus

Few athletic departments have enjoyed the success of and invested in women’s college athletics like OU under Castiglione.

Castiglione didn’t hire Patty Gasso but he has served as AD for all eight of her national titles. 

He also oversaw Sherri Coale’s run of 19 consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, which included three Final Four appearances. He hired K.J. Kindler, who won her third national title in the last four seasons and her seventh with the program in 2025.

Jennie Baranczyk is quickly becoming one of Castiglione’s smarter hires. She led the Sooners to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013 this past season and has been on a hot recruiting streak.

5. Upgrading facilities campuswide

Facility improvements have been central to Castiglione’s vision throughout his time at OU.

He was instrumental in the department’s major campaign at the turn of the century, Great Expectations: The Campaign for Sooner Sports. OU set a fundraising record for the 2023-24 fiscal year, receiving $110.3 million in total donations and pledges.

A $160 million Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium renovation was completed before the 2017 season. The Griffin Family Performance Center for men’s and women’s basketball at Lloyd Noble Center opened in 2018. Refurbished men’s and women’s basketball team areas were completed in spring 2024.

And, finally, Castiglione officially cut the ribbon for Love’s Field in spring 2024, the $48 million project that holds 4,200 people and is the largest on-campus softball stadium in the country. 

Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.