Larry Naifeh - Special Assistant to the Athletics Director - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Larry Naifeh

Title:
Special Assistant to the Athletics Director
Email:

Former Executive Deputy Athletics Director/Chief Operating Officer Larry Naifeh is in his fifth decade serving the University of Oklahoma, arriving on campus in 1986 as a member of the university’s legal staff before working the bulk of his tenure in the athletics department. He transitioned to Special Assistant to the Athletics Director in January 2026.

Naifeh's association with the athletics department began in September 1991 when he was named compliance officer. Twice since May 1996, he served the university as interim athletics director.

Naifeh's areas of responsibility for the athletics department have included all elements of department operations, including contracts and other legal issues, capital improvement projects and funding, fiscal and strategic planning, facilities and event operations, risk management, men's and women's golf program oversight and special projects. Naifeh, who serves on the National Advisory Board for the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4), was the recipient of the 2009 All-American Football Foundation Outstanding Executive Associate Athletics Director Award.

Naifeh has coordinated and supervised capital improvement and facility projects for every OU Athletics team, including Headington Hall, which provides housing for student-athletes and other OU students. Projects have included the expansion and renovation of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium from the east side upper deck, clubs and suites to the south end zone renovations, including the Barry Switzer Center, and initial work for the upcoming west stadium renovations; Lloyd Noble Center team facilities and additions; Love’s Field; Viersen Gymnastics Center; Everest Indoor Training Center; McCasland Field House; Charlie Coe Center and, most recently, Ransom House and the Brody Family Practice Facility for golf; upcoming baseball team and stadium improvements; John Jacobs Track and Mosier Indoor Facility; Bud Wilkinson football team and practice facilities; Headington Family Tennis Center and other projects for the soccer, volleyball, wrestling and rowing programs.

During Naifeh’s tenure with the University of Oklahoma, he has witnessed and been a part of 35 national championships – five while he was an undergraduate student and an OU Law student from 1972-1979 and 30 since he has been on staff.

Naifeh came to OU after serving seven years as assistant city attorney for the City of Oklahoma City. He is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, the Cleveland County Bar Association and the National Association of College and University Attorneys, and is a past chairman of Cleveland County Court Appointed Special Advocates.

A University of Oklahoma graduate, Naifeh holds a bachelor's degree in law enforcement administration (’76) and a juris doctorate (’79). While in college, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity and Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies, and was a Robert Dean Bass Scholar.

Naifeh, who is an alumni member of the Oklahoma Rugby Club, coached the U.S. Western Territory Rugby Team to eight national championships. He also served as the national team coach for the United States Collegiate All-American National Team on a winning tour of South Africa, a world power in the sport.

Naifeh's family includes his wife Mary, daughters Tyson and Jessica, son-in-law Josh Blyden and granddaughters Isabelle Grace and Evelyn Rose Blyden.