Oklahoma is on the verge of making a major move in its athletic department, with Roger Denny expected to be named the Sooners’ next athletic director. The Illinois deputy AD and chief operating officer has reportedly interviewed twice in Norman, and a deal is anticipated to be finalized in the coming days.
Denny’s path to this role is anything but conventional - and that might be exactly what makes him such an intriguing fit. Since July 2021, he’s been a key figure in Illinois’ athletic department, helping oversee operations at a high level.
But before stepping into the college athletics world, Denny built his career in law, specifically in sports business. Starting in 2015, he practiced at Spencer Fane LLP in St.
Louis, where he advised clients on everything from mergers and acquisitions to executive compensation and private equity deals. That kind of financial and legal savvy is rare in the AD chair - and in today’s rapidly evolving college sports landscape, it could prove invaluable.
Denny holds a bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State, a law degree from St. Louis University, and an LLM in tax law from Washington University in St.
Louis. It’s a resume that blends legal expertise with a growing track record in athletic administration - a combination that could serve Oklahoma well as it navigates the new era of NIL, conference realignment, and the business-forward future of college sports.
This transition comes as longtime athletic director Joe Castiglione prepares to wrap up a legendary run in Norman. Castiglione announced in July 2025 that he would retire during the 2025-26 academic year, ending a tenure that began all the way back in 1998.
Under his leadership, the Sooners captured 26 national championships and built one of the most respected athletic departments in the country. He’s set to move into an emeritus role once his successor is officially in place - a nod to his lasting impact and continued presence around the program.
The final step in the process will come when the OU Board of Regents meets next week to approve Denny’s hiring. If all goes as expected, Oklahoma will be handing the reins to a new kind of leader - one with a legal mind, business acumen, and a growing reputation in the college athletics world. It’s a big moment for the Sooners, and all signs point to a strategic, forward-thinking hire.