OU has hired Mark Taurisani for the role of deputy athletics director.

Taurisani has worked in Illinois' athletics department since 2021, starting as assistant athletics director and chief of staff before stepping into the role of associate athletics director in 2024. In 2024-25, he helped Illinois football achieve theĀ first back-to-back seasons with at least nine wins in program history.

He was the director of football operations at Michigan in 2018-20. He served as director of football operations at Arkansas in 2013-17 as well, with his last four years including the assistant athletics director role.

New OU athletics director Roger Denny served as the Illinois deputy athletics director in 2021-25, where he worked alongsideĀ Taurisani.

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