Tip of the fedora: Joe Castiglione’s retirement sparks emotional tributes

Tip of the fedora to Joe C.
BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

After nearly three decades of leading the Oklahoma Sooners, Sooner Nation and the rest of the college sports world just had to give a tip of the fedora to Joe Castiglione.

Entering his 28th season as OU's athletic director, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Monday that Castiglione will retire during the upcoming 2025-26 academic year. According to Thamel, Castiglione will still stick around OU as athletic director emeritus after his successor is found.

Castiglione is currently the longest-tenured AD in major college sports. Under Castiglione, the Sooners won 26 national championships and 117 conference titles. That includes the Sooners' last national title in football in 2000 under Bob Stoops, who Castiglione hired, and the emergence of softball and women's gymnastics as dynasties.

He also ushered OU from the Big 12 to the SEC last summer. He was named athletic director of the year by Sports Business Journal in 2009 and 2018. He also won the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics award for the nation's top athletic director in 2000 and 2018.

After Thamel broke the massive news, social media erupted to pay respect to Castiglione, even during a time when OU football is at a low point.

Social media reacts to Joe Castiglione’s retirement from Oklahoma

From son to father.

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