For the first time in nearly 3 decades, Oklahoma is searching for a new athletic director.

Joe Castiglione, who was hired by the university in 1998, is set to retire at some point over the next year. That news was reported on Monday and later confirmed by the university. On Tuesday morning, Castiglione and Oklahoma president Joe Harroz held a press conference to discuss Castiglione’s tenure and OU’s succession plan.

When asked about the factors that will guide OU during this search, Harroz gave a clear answer.

“The athletic director we’re looking for next is someone who can see the landscape and have the ability to act,” Harroz said. “The most important attribute is someone who understands the changing landscape.”

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The evolving nature of the college football landscape is something Castiglione handled quite well over his tenure. While Castiglione managed things like the beginning of the transfer portal and NIL eras, his successor will need to navigate the start of the revenue-sharing era as well as other potential changes that have yet to unfold in college athletics.

Randall Stephenson, Chair of OU football, will lead the search for the program’s next athletic director. Stephenson is, amongst other things, the former CEO of AT&T. Stephenson joined Oklahoma in December of 2024.

Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.

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Monday, July 7, 2025

Media Contact:
Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | mack.burke_iv@okstate.edu

The Hargis Leadership Institute at Oklahoma State University has announced the selection
of Class XV of the McKnight Scholars Leadership Program. This year, 50 outstanding
out-of-state students were chosen for their demonstrated leadership, academic excellence
and commitment to service.

Made possible by the generosity of Ross and Billie McKnight, the McKnight Scholars
Leadership Program is one of the nation’s premier undergraduate leadership experiences.
Each year, a select group of high-achieving students from across the United States
is invited to join the cohort through a competitive application process.

McKnight Scholars receive a leadership and scholarship package valued at $85,000.
The program includes an out-of-state tuition waiver, a $5,000 cash scholarship per
year for four years and a short-term study abroad program. In addition, scholars gain
exclusive access to leadership courses, individual mentoring from upper-level McKnight
Scholars, and membership in a vibrant network of current scholars and alumni.

“This year’s class of McKnight Scholars represents an incredible group of young leaders,”
said Dr. Josh Taylor, director of the Hargis Leadership Institute. “We are excited
to welcome them to OSU and look forward to the impact they will make as students and
future professionals.”

The following students have been named to Class XV of the McKnight Scholars Leadership
Program:

• Aaron Amick – Roanoke, IN
• Hagan Anderson – Seymour, TX
• James Ashton – Escondido, CA
• Weston Barnes – Oberlin, KS
• Makenna Barron – Waitsburg, WA
• Sawyer Beggs – Sims, AR
• Kailey Benson – Cottleville, MO
• Stephanie Berenda – Earl Park, IN
• Alina Berry – Lone Pine, CA
• Jack Beyer – Lowville, NY
• Ava-Grace Bleicher – Albuquerque, NM
• Chloe Bomgardner – Jonestown, PA
• Riley Buttress – Summersville, MO
• Parker Cowan – Watertown, TN
• Kale Cox – Wichita Falls, TX
• Meredith Davis – Savoy, TX
• Molly Davis – Savoy, TX
• Kimora Evans – Mexia, TX
• Anna Ewing – Wellington, KS
• Bennett Gordon – Whitewood, SD
• Hallie Gough – Graham, TX
• Blake Graham – Amarillo, TX
• Collier Houston – Houston, TX
• Josie Jennings – Springfield, OH
• Ty Jones – Scottsville, KY
• Samantha Kennedy – Keller, TX
• Kason Koenig – Amarillo, TX
• Jalyn Lamb – Bandera, TX
• Ashley Landt – Reardan, WA
• Sofia Lee – Colleyville, TX
• Lainey McCall – Windthorst, TX
• Kalli McCoy – Goldthwaite, TX
• Bentlee McKay – Dumas, TX
• Lexsey McLemore – Windthorst, TX
• Langston Mitchell – Cassville, MO
• Daniella Nugent – Boxford, MA
• Daimya Parker – Alma, AR
• Taft Rice – Madras, OR
• Rhyanna Richert – Winfield, KS
• Braden Salsbury – Wichita, KS
• Julia Silvus – McConnelsville, OH
• Hannah Simmons – Whitesboro, TX
• Cole Stevens – Era, TX
• Ansley Tiffin-Fernandes – Amarillo, TX
• Bailey Timmons – Morton, TX
• Ella Underberg – Springville, NY
• Lilly Weber – Lamar, MO
• Emma West – Wichita Falls, TX
• Kassidy Wilfong – Chelan, WA
• Brody Will – Teutopolis, IL

To learn more about the McKnight Scholars Leadership Program, visit https://leadershipinstitute.okstate.edu/mcknight-details.html.