{"id":81575,"date":"2026-01-23T16:20:50","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T19:20:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/university-of-oklahoma-expected-to-announce-new-athletic-director\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T16:20:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T19:20:54","slug":"university-of-oklahoma-expected-to-announce-new-athletic-director","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/university-of-oklahoma-expected-to-announce-new-athletic-director\/","title":{"rendered":"University of Oklahoma expected to announce new athletic director"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n NORMAN, Okla. –<\/span><\/p>\n

Sources confirmed to Griffin Media Sports Director Toby Rowland that the University of Oklahoma is set to hire Roger Dennyas its next Athletics Director. A formal announcement is expected next week.<\/p>\n

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Sources have confirmed to me that OU will hire Illinois Deputy AD\/COO Roger Denny as the Sooners new Athletics Director. A formal announcement will be made next week.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Toby Rowland (@TRowOU) January 23, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Denny currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Illinois<\/a><\/span>, a role he has held since July 2021.<\/p>\n

He will replace longtime OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione, who announced his retirement in July 2025.<\/p>\n

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\n Joe Castiglione, the University of Oklahoma\u2019s esteemed Director of Athletics, is set to announce his retirement during a press conference on July 8, 2025, marking the end of a transformative tenure that has reshaped the university\u2019s athletic landscape since 1998.\n <\/p>\n

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July 21, 2025 11:28 AM<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

ESPN\u2019s Pete Thamel also reported the hire, noting that Denny interviewed on campus twice and that a deal is expected to be finalized in the near future.<\/p>\n

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Sources: Oklahoma is targeting Illinois deputy athletic director\/COO Roger Denny to be the school\u2019s next athletic director. He\u2019s interviewed on campus twice, and a deal is expected to be completed in the upcoming days. pic.twitter.com\/wzyM2c5Wdc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 23, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Current role at Illinois<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Denny was named Chief Operating Officer and Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director in July 2021 and serves as the sport administrator for the Fighting Illini football program.<\/p>\n

In his role as COO, Denny oversees the department\u2019s internal operations, including:<\/p>\n

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  • Business office<\/li>\n
  • Facilities and capital projects<\/li>\n
  • Human resources<\/li>\n
  • Data and business intelligence<\/li>\n
  • Sports technology units<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    He also supervises Illinois\u2019 revenue operations, including:<\/p>\n

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    • Corporate sponsorships and licensing<\/li>\n
    • Public facilities management (State Farm Center, Atkins Tennis Center, Atkins Golf Club, Orange and Blue Golf Courses, and the Armory)<\/li>\n
    • Housing, parking, and athletics camps and clinics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Education<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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      • Bachelor\u2019s degree \u2014 Southeast Missouri State University<\/b><\/li>\n
      • Law degree \u2014 Saint Louis University School of Law<\/b><\/li>\n
      • LL.M. in tax law \u2014 Washington University in St. Louis School of Law<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Legal and professional background<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

        An attorney with nearly 15 years of legal experience, Denny previously worked as a partner at national law firm Spencer Fane LLP in St. Louis beginning in 2015.<\/p>\n

        His legal work included:<\/p>\n

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        • Executive compensation and taxation<\/li>\n
        • Private equity and corporate finance<\/li>\n
        • Mergers and acquisitions<\/li>\n
        • Real estate development<\/li>\n
        • Sports business transactions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Personal background<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

          Denny is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. He and his wife, Alecia, live in Champaign, Illinois, with their twin sons, Trey and Michael.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n