Bob Stoops has never been one to mince words when it comes to Oklahoma football, and on Friday, he gave Sooner Nation exactly the kind of reassurance they were looking for about the program’s new athletic director, Roger Denny.
The timing was no coincidence-Stoops made his remarks on KREF just before the university officially announced Denny as the successor to longtime AD Joe Castiglione, who’s stepping down after a legendary run. While Denny’s name wasn’t on anyone’s shortlist and his hire caught many fans off guard, Stoops’ endorsement carries serious weight-especially considering he wasn’t just a bystander in the process.
Stoops was part of the 12-person search committee, chaired by Randall Stephenson, that ultimately landed on Denny. The group also brought in The Athlete Group, a search firm, to help navigate the process.
So this wasn’t a decision made on a whim. It was deliberate, thorough, and-based on Stoops’ comments-deeply considered.
"I'm very impressed with Roger," Stoops said. "Everything about him.
His experience. To me, experience matters.
I say it all the time, in the coaching world, athletic director, in every role there is, the experience you've had, what you've lived, makes a big difference, and how much success you've had. So, yeah, I'm obviously all on board, excited about it."
That’s not just a polite endorsement-that’s Stoops putting his stamp on the hire.
Denny’s resume isn’t flashy in a traditional sense, but it checks a lot of the right boxes for today’s ever-evolving college athletics landscape. Since 2021, he’s been at Illinois, serving as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, with a focus on the football program.
But what really sets Denny apart is his background before that-15 years as an attorney. In an age where college athletics is being reshaped by NIL, conference realignment, and legal challenges, having someone who understands the legal and operational sides of the business is more valuable than ever.
Still, Denny’s lack of prior ties to Oklahoma raised eyebrows. He wasn’t a known figure in Sooner circles.
He wasn’t a former player, coach, or administrator with crimson and cream roots. But if there’s one thing Stoops’ involvement makes clear, it’s that this hire wasn’t about nostalgia-it was about finding the right leader for the next era of Oklahoma athletics.
And Stoops’ voice matters here. He’s not just a legendary coach who still casts a long shadow over the program-he was in the room, part of the decision-making process, and had a say in who would steer the department forward. His support isn’t just symbolic; it’s informed.
So while fans may still be getting to know Roger Denny, they can take some comfort in knowing that one of the most respected figures in OU history is fully behind the hire. And if Stoops believes Denny’s experience and leadership are what the Sooners need, that’s a strong signal that Oklahoma’s future is in capable hands.