They said it: Key Oklahoma Football figures sound off on new AD hire

The University of Oklahoma hired Roger Denny as its 12th Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Director of Athletics on Friday. Denny, a former lawyer, had been the Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer at Illinois, but will now lead the way for OU Athletics into the future.

Denny is replacing Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione, who has been at OU since he was hired back in April of 1998. Castiglione announced his impending retirement last year, and the search for a new Director of Athletics was on. Oklahoma created a hiring committee and ultimately landed on Denny, who obviously has gigantic shoes to fill. The committee was led by university president Joseph Harroz Jr. and Chair and Special Advisor to the President for OU Athletics Randall Stephenson.

At OU, being the Athletics Director means that football comes first, and those associated with the Oklahoma Football program have had plenty of positive things to say about Denny since his hire as AD was officially announced on Friday. Key figures, both past and present, from the program have voiced their support for the move. We'll look at what they had to say via SoonerSports.com and the University of Oklahoma social media accounts before their new boss steps into his new role next month.

Brent Venables, Head Coach

"I'm extremely confident Roger's extensive background in law and highly accomplished time as Deputy AD and COO at the University of Illinois have prepared him for this outstanding opportunity to lead the OU Athletics Department, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic about his hiring. He is more than ready to help us navigate this rapidly changing college sports landscape and keep us positioned for success now and in the future. I've heard nothing but great this about his approach to his work, how intelligent he is, how he interacts with others, and how committed he is to winning."

Jim Nagy, General Manager

"On behalf of Sooner Football, we are excited about the appointment of Roger Denny as the new leader of OU Athletics. We trust the process and vision that lead President Joseph Harroz Jr., Randall Stephenson, and the Board of Regents to this exciting hire. The college football landscape is constantly evolving, and Roger is the type of adaptive innovator that will allow our program to maintain the expected level of excellence."

Joe Castiglione, Vice President and Director of Athletics

"I welcome Roger and look forward to getting to know him better. I know he will come to love working with the most dedicated and talented group of coaches and staff in the country - all focused on our highest priority of developing our athletes and relentlessly carrying out our bold vision to position OU for success across all sports. He will also find the greatest fanbase in America and experience the power of everyone working together in pursuit of contiuned growth and competitiveness for OU as one of college athletics' most influential brands."

Bob Stoops, Former Head Coach, Search Committee Special Advisor

"I've been incredibly impressed with Roger Denny's background and experience. And when you examine everything he's achieved - with his strong legal background and all he's been involved with at Illinois in this new era of college athletics - you understand he doesn't just have experience. He has really good experience. He's touched so many areas with the Illini, and in a really positive way. I'm good friends with their football coach, Bret Bielema, who called me on the day of their bowl game to tell me all the reasons why Roger would be good for us at OU. I think he's ready for the opportunity and will flourish here. I'm excited to welcome him to the OU family."

Sam Bradford, Former Quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, Committee Member

"I'm excited to welcome Roger Denny to the University of Oklahoma. Roger brings a rare skill set, with proven success in the legal world, in college athletics, and in navigating complex contract negotiations. In today's landscape, that kind of experience creates real opportunities for our student-athletes. He approaches every challenge thoughtfully, with integrity and a big-picture perspective, and I'm confident he's going to make a meaningful impact at OU and help move the university forward."

Joseph Harroz Jr., University President

"College athletics is undergoing profound disruption that requires us to think well beyond conventional structures and roles. In Roger we have the next natural leader who understands both the complexity of the moment and the opportunities it presents. It is clear Roger will advance the bold vision needed for OU to continue leading in a highly dynamic environment."

Randall Stephenson, Chair and Special Advisor to the President for OU Athletics

"Few industries have undergone as rapid and radical disruption as college athletics, and I am grateful for the bold actions that the Board of Regents and President Harroz have supported in our football operations. Roger is the ideal candidate to lead Sooner Athletics with his deep legal background serving both the professional and college sports industries. He is a proven operator with a competitive intensity and drive to win. His passion for college athletics, student-athletes, coaches, and staff is the right recipe to position OU for national championships."

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: What they're saying: OU Football sounds off on Roger Denny