One of the most important decisions in Oklahoma Sooners history could be partly decided by Sam Bradford

The search to replace longtime Oklahoma Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione is already underway after his sudden retirement announcement just a couple of weeks ago. On Monday morning, the Sooners announced that they have assembled a 12-person committee to oversee the search for Oklahoma’s next athletic director. This is a monumental decision, as Castiglione is […]

AJ Schulte — College Football Trending News Writer
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Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione sits next to University President Joseph Harroz, Jr. during a press conference announcing the retirement of Castiglione, at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The search to replace longtime Oklahoma Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione is already underway after his sudden retirement announcement just a couple of weeks ago.

On Monday morning, the Sooners announced that they have assembled a 12-person committee to oversee the search for Oklahoma’s next athletic director. This is a monumental decision, as Castiglione is a legendary figure in school history, and it’s clear from the list of names that the Sooners are taking it seriously.

One of the names on the newly formed committee is former Oklahoma football legend and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. As quarterback for the 2008 Sooners team, Bradford set records on his way to the Heisman and a national championship appearance. Bradford is listed as a “designee from outside the university”. 

Other iconic Sooners also appear on the committee. Four-time national champion softball catcher Kinzie Hansen is on the committee as a student representative, alongside the greatest head coach in football program history, Bob Stoops. Former women’s basketball head coach and a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Sherri Coale also is on the committee. 

Here are all 12 members of the search committee, per Oklahoma’s announcement:

  • Randall L. Stephenson, Chair of Football and Special Advisor to the President and the Director of Athletics (Chair)
  • Hollye Hunt, Vice President of Executive Affairs and Chief of Staff
  • Armand Paliotta, Vice President and General Counsel
  • David Surratt, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
  • Bob Stoops, Executive Director, Special Advisor to the Athletics Director
  • Amy Noah, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer, OU Foundation (Designee from outside the University)
  • Steve Gensler, Gene and Elaine Edwards Family Chair in Law, President’s Associates Presidential Professor (Faculty Representative)
  • Kasie Crall, Associate Registrar (Staff Representative)
  • Kinzie Hansen (Student Representative)
  • Sam Bradford, Former University of Oklahoma Quarterback (Designee from outside the University)
  • Sherri Coale, Former University of Oklahoma Head Women’s Basketball Coach (Designee from outside the University)
  • Dorothy Anderson, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (Ex Officio Member)

The Oklahoma Sooners have the talent to compete for a national championship in 2025

Despite a down 2024 season, the Oklahoma Sooners are primed to rebound in the upcoming season on the back of several strong recruiting classes and talented transfer portal pickups.  Throughout 2024, it felt like the Sooners lacked the high-end talent necessary to compete with the top teams across the country. However, they are in a […]

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