Dean's Take: Joe C. A Man Of Many Suits

Joe Castiglione is respected nationally as being one of the finest athletic directors in American. Joe C was named OU’s AD in 1998 and has been the man most responsible for the unprecedented success both on and off the athletic fields of play.

The reason I say the ‘man most responsible’ is because the tremendous success in multiple sports always begins with the hiring process. Bob Stoops was Castiglione’s first major hire and that decision paid immediate dividends as Stoops led Oklahoma from the program’s basement to the national championship podium in just his second season. Castiglione relates well to coaches and the athletes, having been a walk-on football player at the University of Maryland.

Castiglione graduated from Maryland in 1979 and began his professional career as the sports promotions director at Rice, before going to Georgetown as director of athletic fundraising. He spent 17 years at the University of Missouri where he began as the director of communications and marketing before being named the director of athletics in 1993.  

Castiglione told me when he first got the job that out of respect for the position as the man representing Oklahoma athletics on a 24-7 basis, rarely would we see him not dressed in suit and tie. As with most things where Castiglione is adept at following-up, he’s made good on that promise.

Joe C has been named National AD of the Year and has received just about every honor imaginable. Currently, he is the Chairman of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, which will be the focus of the sporting world in twenty short days.

Sunday night Castiglione joined John Holcomb and me on the Blitz. We ran about half the interview last night. Here you’ll find the complete interview where we touch on subjects including March Madness and Big 12 football issues regarding expansion and a conference title game. Enjoy!