When Roger Denny officially steps into the role of Oklahoma’s athletic director on February 15, he won’t be easing into the job-he’ll be jumping straight into the fire. The Sooners are at a pivotal moment, not just in football but across the entire athletic department. And while Joe Castiglione leaves behind a legacy that helped elevate OU’s national profile, Denny inherits a program that’s hungry for fresh leadership and bold decisions.
Here’s what’s waiting on his desk-and what fans are watching closely.
1. Address the State of OU Men’s Basketball-Immediately
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Oklahoma men’s basketball is in a tailspin. Under Porter Moser, the program has struggled to find any sort of consistent footing, and the frustration has reached a boiling point. A six-game losing streak has only intensified the calls for change, and while Moser’s job may have been spared-at least temporarily-due to the leadership transition, the writing on the wall is hard to ignore.
The Sooners are a proud athletic institution, and the basketball program is too important to be left floundering. Denny’s first major decision could very well be Moser’s future, and how he handles it will send a clear message about his vision and urgency. If Denny wants to win over the fan base early, making a decisive move on the coaching front could be the spark.
But firing the coach is just the beginning. The next hire has to be a home run-someone who can not only bring energy back to the court but also attract top-tier talent. That means investing in NIL resources, upgrading facilities, and, just as importantly, restoring the atmosphere at Lloyd Noble Center, which has too often felt like an empty shell of what it once was.
2. Supercharge NIL Fundraising-Especially for Men’s Hoops
In today’s college sports landscape, NIL isn’t just a buzzword-it’s the battleground. And if Oklahoma wants to compete in the SEC, especially in sports like men’s basketball where they’re currently lagging behind, Denny will need to be aggressive in building out the Sooners’ NIL war chest.
The good news? He’s got the résumé for it.
Denny helped secure a record-setting $100 million gift at Illinois, and that kind of fundraising savvy will be crucial in his new role. The challenge now is to channel that momentum across all sports, while placing a special emphasis on basketball, where NIL opportunities can directly impact recruiting and roster building.
This is also where Denny can leverage the excitement of a new era. There’s optimism in change, and he’ll need to capitalize on that energy to bring donors, alumni, and corporate partners into the fold. The SEC is a different beast, and Oklahoma needs to be financially equipped to run with the top dogs.
3. Reassess the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Renovation Plans
When OU unveiled plans to renovate Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium-including a reduction of 7,000 seats in favor of more premium suites-it didn’t land well with the fan base. The backlash was swift, and it only grew louder when the Sooners hosted their first-ever College Football Playoff game and the stadium was rocking at full capacity. The national spotlight was on Norman, and fans felt vindicated in their concerns.
Denny may be arriving late to the party, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still influence the direction of the project. As a fresh set of eyes, he has an opportunity-and arguably a responsibility-to revisit the plans, understand the rationale behind them, and ensure they align with the broader goals of the athletic department.
This isn’t just about luxury boxes and donor perks. It’s about preserving the atmosphere that makes OU football special, while also balancing the financial realities of modern college athletics. Denny will need to find that sweet spot between innovation and tradition-because in Norman, both matter deeply.
The Bottom Line
Roger Denny is stepping into a high-profile job at a high-stakes moment. The transition from Castiglione to Denny marks more than just a change in leadership-it’s a chance to reset the trajectory of Oklahoma athletics as it fully embraces life in the SEC.
From fixing men’s basketball, to fueling NIL efforts, to revisiting stadium plans, Denny’s plate is full. But with the right moves, he can quickly establish himself as the kind of leader who not only understands what OU stands for-but knows how to take it to the next level.