NORMAN - There’s a new era dawning in Norman, and it’s not on the field - it’s in the front office. Oklahoma has officially introduced Roger Denny as its next athletics director, setting the stage for a major leadership transition as the Sooners continue to navigate the rapidly evolving college sports landscape.
Denny becomes the 12th athletics director in Oklahoma’s storied history, stepping into the role following the remarkable 28-year tenure of Joe Castiglione, who now moves into an emeritus position. The baton officially passes on February 15, when Denny’s four-year contract kicks in - a deal worth $5 million through June 30, 2029.
Denny’s annual base salary will start at $1.25 million, with the potential for annual merit-based raises beginning in 2027. He’ll also be eligible for performance-based bonuses tied to academic success, athletic achievements across OU’s programs, and key financial benchmarks, including departmental revenue and net cash flow goals. In short, it’s a contract that reflects the high expectations of modern athletic leadership - and the belief that Denny is the right person to meet them.
So, who is Roger Denny, and why is Oklahoma betting big on him?
Denny arrives in Norman after four years as the deputy athletics director at Illinois, where he served as a key lieutenant to AD Josh Whitman. Denny wasn’t just a behind-the-scenes operator - he was a central figure in shaping the Illini’s business strategy, overseeing a nearly $200 million annual athletics budget and managing everything from NIL initiatives to facilities planning and contract negotiations. He also played a lead role with the football program as its sport administrator, giving him hands-on experience in one of the most high-profile areas of any athletics department.
It’s no surprise that a dozen members of the Illinois athletics staff made the trip to Norman for Denny’s introduction. That kind of support speaks volumes about the respect he commands and the relationships he’s built.
But Denny’s path to this role wasn’t the traditional climb through coaching or compliance. Before Illinois, he spent nearly 15 years practicing law, most recently as a partner at Spencer Fance LLP in St.
Louis. His legal focus?
Executive compensation, tax, corporate finance, licensing - and crucially, representing college athletics departments and sports businesses in high-stakes deals. That included work on collective bargaining, media rights, and intellectual property - all areas that are now front and center in college athletics.
In other words, Denny’s skill set is tailor-made for the challenges athletic directors are facing today. We’re talking about a landscape where NIL, media rights negotiations, and the financial future of college sports are all intertwined.
Denny has been in those rooms, negotiating those deals. Now, he’s bringing that expertise to one of the biggest brands in college athletics.
Oklahoma president Joseph Harroz Jr. summed it up well during Wednesday’s introduction: “When we talk about… a prototype for the modern athletic director, as you look not as his initial qualifications but deeply into the skills that he has and the work he's done, we believe Roger is the absolute right person at this right moment in sports at the University of Oklahoma.”
It’s a pivotal moment for the Sooners. With conference realignment reshaping the national landscape and the business side of college sports more complex than ever, Oklahoma is turning to a leader who understands both the tradition of college athletics and the new realities driving it forward.
Roger Denny isn’t just stepping into a high-profile job - he’s stepping into a high-stakes moment. And from all indications, he’s ready for it.