OU hires Mark Taurisani as Deputy AD / Sport Administration

Only concern I have is our AD is hiring Illinois folks.



Mark Taurisani joined the University of Oklahoma staff in May 2026 as Deputy Athletics Director/Sport Administration. Taurisani provides executive leadership and oversight of sport administration and student-athlete support units.

Serving as the primary sport administrator for football and supervising all sport administrators across the department to ensure alignment in service standards, Taurisani also oversees key units dedicated to enhancing student-athlete experience, including strength and conditioning, sport science and student-athlete benefits.

Taurisani came to OU after spending the previous five years on the Illinois football staff as Assistant Athletics Director/Chief of Staff from 2021-23 and Associate Athletics Director/Chief of Staff from 2024-26. He oversaw administrative aspects of the Illini football program, including those involving head coach Bret Bielema.