University of Oklahoma Athletics
OU Mourns Loss of Former A.D. Donnie Duncan
March 13, 2016 | Athletics
NORMAN — Former University of Oklahoma athletics director and assistant football coach Donnie Duncan, whose collegiate athletics career spanned more than four decades, passed away early Sunday morning at his home in Dallas following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 75.
Duncan, who was presented with the National Football Foundation's Legacy Award in December for his extraordinary dedication to football, came to OU as an assistant football coach in 1973, Barry Switzer's first year as head coach. With Duncan on staff the next six years, the Sooners compiled a 62-6 record, won Big Eight titles each year and captured two national championships (1974 and '75).
Following a four-year head coaching stint at Iowa State (his teams went 18-24-2 from 1979-83) and stops as executive director at the Sun Bowl and Gator Bowl, Duncan returned to OU as athletics director in 1986. He served in that role until 1996. Under his watch, three Sooners team secured national championships: men's golf in 1989, men's gymnastics in 1991 and baseball in 1994. In 1988, OU became the first school in NCAA history to have its football team in a major bowl (Orange) and its men's basketball team in the national championship game in the same academic year.
He was a treasured friend and colleague who was widely respected around the country. I'll always appreciate the way he welcomed me to the Big Eight Conference as a new athletics director in 1993 when I was hired at Missouri, and I enjoyed working closely with him and the other ADs in the complex process to create and launch a new conference -- the Big 12.
Joe Castiglione
Duncan, who played an instrumental role in the formation of the Big 12 Conference in 1995, went to work for the league in 1996, serving as senior associate commissioner and director of football operations until his retirement in 2010. He was involved in every aspect of football at the Big 12, including the regular season, officiating, bowls and television agreements. He was also responsible for developing the league's Football Championship Game and served as its director from inception through the final game held in 2010.
"It's difficult to express how saddened the OU Athletics family is at the news of Donnie's passing," said OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione. "It's a tremendous loss for collegiate athletics and especially the sport of football. We will always be indebted to him for his service and accomplishments at OU as an assistant football coach and later as athletics director.
"I've known Donnie a very long time. He was a treasured friend and colleague who was widely respected around the country. I'll always appreciate the way he welcomed me to the Big Eight Conference as a new athletics director in 1993 when I was hired at Missouri, and I enjoyed working closely with him and the other ADs in the complex process to create and launch a new conference -- the Big 12.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Donnie's wife, Sally, his daughter, Amy, and their entire family on this difficult day."
Duncan attended Celeste High School in Celeste, Texas, and was a four-year letterwinner in baseball and football at Austin College. He was later inducted into the Austin College Athletic Hall of Honor.
Duncan is survived by his wife, Sally, and his daughter, Amy, son-in-law, Patrick, and two granddaughters.
