With Roger Denny's early start date to his tenure as AD, are the Oklahoma Sooners already preparing to fire Porter Moser?
The University of Oklahoma's men's basketball program finds itself at a critical juncture in early 2026, with mounting speculation that head coach Porter Moser could soon be on his way out.
Hired in 2021 after a successful stint at Loyola Chicago, where he led the Ramblers to a Final Four in 2018, Moser was expected to bring energy and success to a program that had seen consistent NCAA Tournament appearances under predecessors like Lon Kruger.
However, five seasons in, the results have been underwhelming, fueling calls for change among fans and analysts alike. Moser's tenure has been marked by inconsistency. The Sooners have missed the NCAA Tournament in three of his first four years, and this season looks to be the same with a projected absence following a dismal 1-6 start in SEC play.
The team has never achieved a winning conference record under him, blending moments of promise—like a brief hot streak last year—with prolonged slumps that have eroded fan support.
Attendance at Lloyd Noble Center has dwindled, with crowds often hovering around 5,000 for key games, a far cry from the program's heyday.
Critics point to questionable scheduling, such as soft nonconference slates featuring mid-majors, which haven't prepared the team for the rigors of the SEC.
A recent six-game losing streak, including a heartbreaking overtime buzzer-beater loss to Missouri, has only intensified the scrutiny, with some declaring that every extra day with Porter Moser is hurting Oklahoma basketball.
Financially, firing Moser wouldn't be cheap. His contract, extended through the 2028 season in 2022, carries a buyout estimated at around $7.65 million if terminated after the current season—75% of the remaining $10.2 million. This figure drops annually, but with the program's trajectory, waiting could mean further apathy from boosters and recruits.
The timing of this potential move aligns suspiciously with a major leadership change in OU athletics. Longtime athletic director Joe Castiglione, is transitioning to an emeritus role earlier than expected. OU fast-tracked his successor, hiring Illinois deputy athletic director and chief operating officer Roger Denny on January 23, 2026.
Denny, a corporate attorney with a background in mergers, acquisitions, and NIL dealings, is set to take over on February 15—earlier than initially anticipated for Castiglione's full exit at the end of the academic year.
This acceleration raises eyebrows: Why rush Denny's start unless to empower him with key decisions, like reshaping the basketball program?
Castiglione, a stabilizing force since 1998, has been integral to OU's successes across sports, but handing the reins to an outgoing AD for a high-stakes coaching search makes little sense. Denny's legal expertise positions him well for the evolving landscape of college athletics, including revenue sharing and private equity.
At Illinois, he has worked with successful coaches like football's Bret Bielema and basketball's Brad Underwood, the latter delivering three conference titles and an Elite Eight run.
This connection sparks a tantalizing "pipe dream" for Sooner fans: Could Denny lure Underwood to Norman? Underwood, a Kansas native, coached at Oklahoma State from 2016-17, leading the Cowboys to the NCAA Tournament in his lone season before bolting for Illinois.
His spread offense and defensive intensity have made him a powerhouse in the Big Ten, but postseason demons persist—Illinois has yet to reach a Final Four under him. A move to OU could offer a reset in a familiar state, with SEC resources and a chance to build on his OSU roots.
While no rumors currently link Underwood to OU, Denny's history with him makes it a home-run hypothetical. Underwood's contract at Illinois runs through 2027, with a hefty buyout, but in the NIL era, money talks.
For Denny, the focus is clear: OU needs a coach who can recruit top talent, fill seats, and compete in the SEC.
The women's program under Jennie Baranczyk has thrived, highlighting the disparity. As Denny assumes control, his first major act might be addressing the Moser situation—either through a mutual parting to avoid the full buyout or a decisive firing.
In Norman, the winds of change are blowing. With Denny's arrival, Oklahoma appears primed to act swiftly, avoiding the pitfalls of letting an outgoing AD dictate the future.
For Moser, the writing may be on the wall: a once-promising hire now facing an unceremonious end.
The Sooners' basketball revival hangs in the balance, and 2026 could mark the dawn of a new era.