Oklahoma Softball's Patty Gasso Reacts to New AD Roger Denny's Hire

Gasso is excited for the future of OU Athletics under Denny's leadership, despite the bittersweet departure of longtime AD Joe Castiglione.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 1:23pm

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Patty Gasso, the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners softball team, has mixed feelings about the change in athletic directors at the university. While she is sad to see longtime AD Joe Castiglione leave after 30 years, Gasso is excited about the hiring of Roger Denny as the new athletic director and believes he will take the program to new heights with his blue-collar, hard-working approach.

Why it matters

Gasso and Castiglione had a close working relationship over the past three decades, during which they built the Sooners softball program into a dynasty. Denny's hiring represents a significant transition for the athletic department, and Gasso's perspective provides insight into how this change may impact the softball team and the broader OU Athletics.

The details

Gasso described her relationship with Castiglione as "bittersweet" as they had worked closely together for 30 years, navigating both good and difficult times. She said they found a "common ground" and grew to be more than just a boss-employee relationship. Denny was officially introduced as the new athletic director on Wednesday, and Gasso was impressed by his background and approach, describing him as a "smart, no-nonsense but easygoing business man" who will take the program to "another place." Denny and his wife recently toured the softball facilities with Gasso, and she believes he will be a "hard, hard worker" who is more of a "doer" than a talker.

  • Castiglione announced his retirement last summer.
  • Denny was officially introduced as the new athletic director on Wednesday, January 29, 2026.
  • Denny's hiring was officially approved by the OU Board of Regents on Friday, January 31, 2026.
  • Denny will officially take over as the Sooners' athletic director on February 15, 2026.

The players

Patty Gasso

The head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners softball team, who has worked closely with outgoing athletic director Joe Castiglione for the past 30 years.

Joe Castiglione

The outgoing athletic director at the University of Oklahoma, who has worked with Patty Gasso for the past 30 years.

Roger Denny

The new athletic director at the University of Oklahoma, who was officially introduced on Wednesday, January 29, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“It's bittersweet to see this happen but anybody that retires, I'm like, 'Great,'”

— Patty Gasso, Head Coach, Oklahoma Sooners Softball

“The first words he said to us when we were sitting as a coaching group, he talked about where he came from, which was really impressive to me. He came from not a lot and worked his way (up). He's talked about blue-collar, hard work, grind, head down.”

— Patty Gasso, Head Coach, Oklahoma Sooners Softball

“He doesn't seem like he says a lot. He's more of a doer.”

— Patty Gasso, Head Coach, Oklahoma Sooners Softball

What’s next

Denny will officially take over as the Sooners' athletic director on February 15, 2026.

The takeaway

Gasso's perspective highlights the significant transition taking place in OU Athletics, as the long-tenured and close-knit partnership between the softball coach and outgoing athletic director gives way to a new era under the leadership of Roger Denny. While bittersweet, Gasso is optimistic that Denny's blue-collar, hard-working approach will propel the Sooners' programs to new heights.