NORMAN — Joe Castiglione plans to retire as the school’s athletic director after 28 years, marking the end of an era at OU.
Castiglione helped lead the Sooners to 26 national championships and 117 conference titles. He also guided the program to various fundraising records, significant growth in capital projects and ushered OU into the Southeastern Conference.
Advertisement
Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon, who previously served as the Sooners’ deputy athletic director, has long been rumored to be a strong candidate to replace Castiglione. Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt worked under Castiglione at OU from 1998-2005 and was college teammates at Kansas State with Brent Venables.
Following the news of OU AD Joe Castiglione’s upcoming retirement Monday morning, university president Joseph Harroz Jr. announced chair of football Randall Stephenson will lead the search.
Harroz wrote in the email Castiglione will continue to serve as athletic director into the coming year before assuming the role of emeritus athletic director, advising on the search for his replacement and ongoing athletics projects, as well as continuing in a fundraising capacity until June 30, 2028.
Here are some potential candidates to succeed Castiglione:
Advertisement
More: Who is Randall Stephenson? Meet the man leading search for next OU athletic director
Zac Selmon, Mississippi State athletic director
Selmon is OU royalty.
He is the son of Dewey, and nephew of Lee Roy and Lucious, who were each named All-Americans for the Sooners in the 1970s. Selmon is also a Norman native and began his career in OU’s athletics department as a graduate assistant in 2009 before holding the titles of assistant director of development, associate director of development and director of capital gifts.
Selmon returned to OU as senior associate AD/COO in 2015 after serving as associate AD and special assistant to the AD at North Carolina. He then served as deputy AD for external engagement and advancement and led the Sooner Club — OU’s principal fundraising arm — and annual giving.
Advertisement
Selmon spent years learning from Castiglione, has a relationship with Harroz and would be a natural fit.
According to Clarion Ledger’s Sam Sklar, Selmon’s buyout if he were to leave for an SEC school is 75% of his remaining salary. Selmon signed a contract extension through Jan. 31, 2029 and has an annual salary of $1.25 million, which increases by $25,000 each year.
Kirby Hocutt, Texas Tech athletic director
Perhaps no athletic director nationally has navigated the current landscape like Hocutt.
Texas Tech has the benefit of big-money donors but Hocutt has successfully increased revenue, invested in elite facilities and led the Red Raiders to greater on-field achievements.
Advertisement
During his time working under Castiglione, Hocutt earned his master’s of education degree from OU in 2001.
Michael Alford, Florida State athletic director
Another familiar name is Alford, who served as OU’s associate AD for development and administration from 2012-2017. Like Selmon, Alford also previously oversaw the Sooner Club.
Alford was Central Michigan’s AD from 2017-2020 and has led the Seminoles’ athletic department since 2021.
He’s facing pressure, however, after FSU football finished 2-10 last season.
Scott Stricklin, Florida athletic director
Stricklin has a high-profile job at Florida but after the Florida Board of Governors rejected former Michigan University president Santa Ono from becoming UF’s next leader, he could be searching for another spot.
Advertisement
Stricklin served on the College Football Playoff selection committee with Castiglione.
But the Gators have also endured mixed football success over the past few years
More: OU athletic director Joe Castiglione to retire during upcoming school year
Dec 18, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia University President Gordon Gee welcomes new West Virginia Mountaineers Athletic Director Wren Baker during the first half against the Buffalo Bulls at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Wren Baker, West Virginia athletic director
Baker is a native of Valliant, earned his bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State and his master’s degree from Oklahoma State.
Prior to his time at WVU, Baker spent time at North Texas, Missouri, Memphis, Northwest Missouri and Rogers State and would bring more than 20 years of experience.
Long-shot candidate: Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte
Del Conte has perhaps the best athletic director job in the country but you at least have to call and make him say no, right?
Advertisement
Texas has one of the best donor bases in the country and the Longhorns are a strong contender to make the CFP for the third consecutive season, so no one would expect him to jump ship. One wrinkle: former UT President Jay Hartzell left for the same job at SMU earlier this year.
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who will be OU’s next athletic director? An early list of candidates