Context:

Joe Castiglione, the athletic director at Oklahoma, announced his retirement plans, stating the upcoming academic year will be his last in charge, with an official retirement set for June 2028. During a news conference with his family and colleagues, Castiglione reflected on his career and life, expressing that the timing felt right for him to step down after 27 years of leadership. He plans to assist in the search for his successor during the 2025-2026 academic year and will transition into a special projects role thereafter. Under his leadership, Oklahoma won 26 national titles and moved to the Southeastern Conference, marking significant achievements for the department. The Board of Regents emphasizes the challenge in replacing him but commits to maintaining the legacy of integrity and success he established.

Dive Deeper:

• Joe Castiglione announced that he will step down as Oklahoma's athletic director after the next academic year, with a planned retirement in June 2028, after 27 years of service.

• At a news conference, Castiglione shared personal reflections on his career and life, stating that the decision to retire came after deep contemplation about the right time to pass on his responsibilities.

• He will remain involved with the university by assisting in the search for a new athletic director during the 2025-2026 academic year and will later assume a special projects role for a couple of additional years.

• During his tenure, Oklahoma achieved significant success, including winning 26 national titles across various sports and transitioning to the Southeastern Conference from the Big 12.

• Board of Regents chair Anita Holloway acknowledged the difficulty in finding a replacement for Castiglione, highlighting the commitment to hire a top-tier athletic director to continue his legacy of integrity and achievement.