Castiglione on OU Men's Basketball

NORMAN, Okla. -- University of Oklahoma Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione met with the media in a press conference at the Kerr McGee Courtside Club at Lloyd Noble Center Wednesday afternoon.

Castiglione addressed the departure of Kelvin Sampson and previewed the search process for the next head coach of the OU men's basketball program.

"I think it is very important for us to express genuine and sincere appreciation to Kelvin Sampson, his family and his staff," said Castiglione.

"Particularly those who have been here for 12 years and all the players who have been here throughout that 12-year period.

"We appreciate what they have done for our program -- it's been very special. We think in many ways that, in part, has helped create a high level of attractiveness and appeal for the University of Oklahoma as we move forward in this search.

OU Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione with Media

"I really appreciate what (Sampson) has done for us and his years of service to the University of Oklahoma. We wish him the very best at the University of Indiana. They are getting a great coach and an even better person."

On Oklahoma basketball:
"Combined with the performance that we have been able to celebrate and you (the media) have been able to cover and chronicle throughout that time you know in the last four or five years we have increased the amount of commitment to Oklahoma basketball making it a very important part of the athletics program's championship mission.

"Because of that, the facilities we have to offer and the overall resources for our program combined with competitive success really puts Oklahoma in a position to be probably the most attractive its ever been in the history of this program. As the person that will be involved in this search in finding our successor I am really excited to get out there and find the next person that will lead our program."

On the Search Process:
"President Boren has asked me to lead the search. If you followed our style in the past, that particular strategy does not involve a search committee per se. Obviously, I will seek the vast number of resources we have available to us whether it is in our own community or state, the experts in this business and the contacts that one can make in a searching process.

"It will be exhaustive, it will be comprehensive and it will be very focused. Throughout that time, I will work very closely with the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents and obviously President Boren.

"I really believe the search process can move quickly yet that does not mean at all hastily. I think you know me well enough that I'm not going to put a specific day and time in which we want to bring the new coach to you but we don't expect this to be a long process. We want to move and get the next leader here so they can start focusing our current team and program for success next year."

On the Incoming Recruiting Class:
“As you know, Coach Sampson signed a class last fall and that's a good thing. We don't have a lot of recruiting for 2006-07 left to do. Yet, I think we are smart enough to realize those that have made their pledge to the University of Oklahoma now have something to deal with in the form of a coach they signed with not being at the university they made their commitment with.

"We have to be careful, sensible and sensitive to all of that and we will do that. We will stay in constant contact with them between the calls I make and the accessibility I have with those student-athletes as well as their families. We will stay in touch.

"Our current assistants for the period of time that they are with us will continue to perform and fulfill the responsibilities they normally have and that involves recruiting."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Note - Please continue to monitor SoonerSports.com for the latest official information from the OU Athletics Department.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors