Mississippi State fans immediately saw the writing on the wall in crimson letters.
Entering his 28th season, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione will retire from his full-time role during the upcoming 2025-26 academic year, vacating one of the biggest job openings in college sports. The immediate frontrunner to replace Castiglione is Mississippi State AD Zac Selmon, who has deep roots in Norman.
Zac Selmon is top candidate to be Sooners' next AD
Selmon took over Mississippi State's athletic department in January 2023. He was almost immediately tasked with finding a new football coach after firing Zach Arnett during Selmon's first season in charge. Selmon then hired OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, solidifying his OU connections.
Before getting to Starkville, Selmon spent nearly his entire career and life in Norman. After graduating from Norman High School, Selmon played tight end at Wake Forest. He then returned home to start his career in athletics with OU in 2009. Between 2009 and 2014, he served as assistant director of athletics development and associate director of athletics development before leaving for North Carolina.
The stint with North Carolina was brief before Selmon again returned to OU, this time as senior associate athletic director and chief of operations. He served in various roles with OU before leaving in 2023 for his first AD gig with Mississippi State.
The Selmon name already has legend status at Oklahoma. Selmon is the son of OU great Dewey Selmon and nephew of fellow OU legends Lee Roy and Lucious. All played in the NFL after successful careers as Sooners.
Once the news about Castiglione's retirement broke Monday morning, Mississippi State fans who knew anything about their athletic director's background immediately feared what could be next as the Sooners need a new leader.
Please don’t take Zac Selmon from us… pic.twitter.com/eoKLatvN2A
— Jason White (@jwhite0316) July 7, 2025
Gulp https://t.co/9f9w2RKra5 pic.twitter.com/9QtT5gTrST
— Noah Mashburn (@Noah_Mashburn) July 7, 2025
Mississippi State fans should keep an eye on this search. It's not a done deal that Zac Selmon would take this job or even want it; however, too many things line up, and it almost makes too much sense at this point. https://t.co/JzSBpfNm2y
— Locked On Mississippi State (@LockedOnMissSt) July 7, 2025
Buckle up, Mississippi State fans https://t.co/tNIl1KAaBf
— The Underdog Tribune (@UnderdogTribune) July 7, 2025
Mississippi State about to be searching for a new AD soon. https://t.co/P1FrquqNC8
— Cale Witter (@CaleWitter) July 7, 2025
So, Zac Selmon?
— SoonerSource (@Sooner_Source) July 7, 2025
Zac Selmon come on down https://t.co/b2RjqP4tqM
— SoonerDan74011 (@DanHarrison1985) July 7, 2025
However, as the Sooners start a nationwide search, Mississippi State doesn't have the only nervous fan base.
Sigghhhh. WVU fans better strap in. Wren Baker is going to be on the list.
— Zach (@z_mccoy06) July 7, 2025
Not saying he will get the job, but he’ll be a candidate for sure. After the work he’s done here at WVU he deserves to get an interview. https://t.co/BYIUBMWs9I
.@OU_Athletics https://t.co/zTcS9Antgq pic.twitter.com/weg4JMYPxa
— West By God Virginia (@WestByGodWV) July 7, 2025
https://t.co/mWSDgUcIGP pic.twitter.com/PlsyAX21dJ
— The Collective (@247_Collective) July 7, 2025
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