The search has officially begun to find Joe Castiglione's replacement as Oklahoma's athletic director.
OU on Monday announced the 12-person search committee to find the Sooners' next AD that will be led by Chair of Football and Advisor to the President and the Director of Athletics Randall Stephenson. The group was headlined by some OU legends, including Bob Stoops, Sam Bradford and Sherri Coale. Castiglione will also be an advisor to the committee.
Bob Stoops, Sam Bradford included on OU's search committee to replace Joe Castiglione
Other members of the search committee included Holly Hunt, Armand Paliotta, David Surratt, Amy Noah, Steve Gensler, Kassie Crall, Kinzie Hansen and Dorothy Anderson.
Sam Bradford and Bob Stoops are on the search committee for OU’s next athletics director. Here’s the full list of members. Joe Castiglione will serve in an advisory role. pic.twitter.com/HsVj43aGQ2
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) July 21, 2025
Entering his 28th year as OU's AD, Castiglione announced earlier this month his plans to officially retire on June 30, 2028. However, once Castiglione's replacement is found this year, he will step down from his full-time role and serve as Emeritus Athletics Director until his full retirement.
Although the search committee is just now being assembled, top candidates to be OU's next AD immediately arose, including Mississippi State AD Zac Selmon, who has spent of his career at OU under Castiglione.
Selmon not only worked with Castiglione, but he was also on staff for much of Stoops' tenure as the Sooners' football coach and while Coale was coaching the women's basketball team. Considering those relationships already exist, this committee seemed to only increase the likelihood of Selmon getting the job.
Stoops being included on this committee also officially rules out the possiblity of him getting the AD job, which some of Sooner Nation has been clamoring for. Stoops himself has also said it's not a position he wants.
Even if Selmon is the clear frontrunner right now, this is currently the biggest job opening in sports, so OU will have the candidates and time to find the best person for the position, and should also turn over every stone even if Selmon seems like the early pick.
Read more about the Oklahoma Sooners