Randall Stephenson: Difference between revisions
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'''Randall L. Stephenson''' is an American business executive who served as | '''Randall L. Stephenson''' is an American business executive who served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of [[AT&T Inc.]], one of the world's largest telecommunications and media companies. During his tenure at the helm of AT&T, Stephenson led the company's transformation from a traditional telecommunications provider into a diversified enterprise spanning technology, media, and telecommunications.<ref name="amacad">{{cite web |title=Randall L. Stephenson |url=https://www.amacad.org/person/randall-l-stephenson |publisher=American Academy of Arts and Sciences |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His leadership oversaw some of the largest corporate acquisitions in American business history, including the purchase of DirecTV and the landmark acquisition of Time Warner. Since stepping down from AT&T, Stephenson has remained active in corporate governance and in philanthropic and advisory roles, most notably serving on the Board of Directors of [[Walmart Inc.]] and taking on a prominent role at the [[University of Oklahoma]], where he has served as Chair of Football and led the search for the university's athletic director.<ref name="si">{{cite news |date=July 8, 2025 |title=How Randall Stephenson Suddenly Became Oklahoma's Big Man on Campus |url=https://www.si.com/college/oklahoma/football/how-randall-stephenson-suddenly-became-oklahoma-s-big-man-on-campus-01jznpr86yxd |work=Sports Illustrated |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> A native of Oklahoma, Stephenson rose through the ranks of the Southwestern Bell Corporation and its successor companies over a career spanning more than three decades, ultimately becoming one of the most prominent figures in American telecommunications. | ||
== Early Life == | == Early Life == | ||
Randall L. Stephenson was born and raised in | Randall L. Stephenson was born and raised in Oklahoma. Details regarding his parents and family upbringing remain largely private. He grew up in the Oklahoma City area, where he developed an early connection to the state that would later define much of his personal and professional identity. Oklahoma remained central to Stephenson's life even as his career took him to the upper echelons of global business; he has maintained deep ties to the state's institutions, particularly the University of Oklahoma, where he has been involved in various capacities over many years.<ref name="si" /> | ||
== Education == | == Education == | ||
Stephenson | Stephenson received his undergraduate education at the [[University of Central Oklahoma]], where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He subsequently pursued graduate studies at the [[University of Oklahoma]], earning a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.).<ref name="amacad" /> His educational background in accounting and business administration provided the foundation for a career that would span finance, operations, and executive leadership within the telecommunications industry. | ||
== Career == | == Career == | ||
=== AT&T | === Rise Through AT&T === | ||
Stephenson began his career at [[Southwestern Bell Corporation]], one of the regional Bell operating companies created following the breakup of the original AT&T (the Bell System) in 1984. Over the following decades, as Southwestern Bell evolved through a series of mergers and acquisitions — first becoming SBC Communications and then acquiring AT&T Corp. in 2005 and adopting the AT&T name — Stephenson rose through a succession of increasingly senior roles within the organization. His background in accounting and finance positioned him in key operational and financial leadership positions within the company's corporate structure. | |||
Stephenson | Stephenson's career trajectory took him through various divisions and functions of the company, including roles in finance, operations, and corporate strategy. His broad operational experience across the enterprise gave him a comprehensive understanding of the telecommunications business, from network infrastructure to consumer services, and positioned him as a leading candidate for the company's top leadership role. | ||
=== Chairman and CEO of AT&T === | |||
Stephenson was named Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Inc., succeeding Edward Whitacre Jr. He subsequently assumed the additional role of Chairman of the Board. As Chairman and CEO, Stephenson presided over a period of significant transformation for AT&T, steering the company into new business areas beyond traditional wireline and wireless telecommunications. | |||
Under Stephenson's leadership, AT&T pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy aimed at positioning the company as a converged technology, media, and telecommunications enterprise.<ref name="amacad" /> Among the most significant transactions during his tenure was the acquisition of [[DirecTV]], the satellite television provider, which expanded AT&T's footprint in the pay-television market. This was followed by the company's pursuit of [[Time Warner]] (later renamed WarnerMedia), a deal that represented one of the largest media acquisitions in history and brought properties including [[HBO]], [[CNN]], and [[Warner Bros.]] under the AT&T umbrella. | |||
The Time Warner acquisition faced significant regulatory scrutiny and legal challenge from the United States Department of Justice, which sought to block the merger on antitrust grounds. The case went to trial in federal court, and AT&T ultimately prevailed, with the court ruling in favor of the merger. The acquisition closed in 2018, and AT&T subsequently reorganized its media assets under the WarnerMedia banner. | |||
Stephenson's strategic vision for AT&T centered on the convergence of content and distribution — the idea that a company controlling both the delivery networks (wireless, broadband, and satellite) and premium content (film, television, and news) would be uniquely positioned to compete in an era of digital disruption and streaming media. This strategy was described by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as leading AT&T's "transformation into a global leader in the converging technology, media and telecommunications" sectors.<ref name="amacad" /> | |||
During his time as CEO, AT&T also invested heavily in the buildout of its wireless network, including significant capital expenditures related to the deployment of next-generation network technologies. The company expanded its fiber-optic broadband footprint and invested in the development of technologies intended to support the growing demand for data services driven by smartphones, streaming video, and the Internet of Things. | |||
His | Stephenson stepped down as CEO of AT&T, with John Stankey succeeding him in the role. He subsequently departed the chairmanship as well. His tenure at the top of AT&T spanned a period of enormous change in the telecommunications and media industries, marked by the rise of streaming services, the decline of traditional pay television, and intensifying competition among technology and media conglomerates. | ||
=== | === Post-AT&T Corporate Activities === | ||
Following his departure from AT&T, Stephenson remained active in corporate governance. He serves on the Board of Directors of [[Walmart Inc.]], the world's largest retailer. In this capacity, Stephenson has been involved in key board-level decisions, including the appointment of new board members. In early 2026, Walmart announced the appointment of Shishir Mehrotra, CEO of Superhuman, to the company's Board of Directors, a decision on which Stephenson, along with Walmart Board Chairman Greg Penner, publicly commented.<ref name="walmart">{{cite web |title=Walmart Names Shishir Mehrotra to Board of Directors; Greg Penner and Randall Stephenson Comment |url=https://www.delimarketnews.com/behind-counter/walmart-names-shishir-mehrotra-board-directors-greg-penner-and-randall-stephenson-comment/deli-staff/mon-01122026-0851/20810 |publisher=Deli Market News |date=January 12, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> | |||
=== Role at the University of Oklahoma === | |||
Stephenson has taken on a significant advisory and leadership role at the [[University of Oklahoma]] (OU), particularly in the area of intercollegiate athletics. He has served as Chair of Football, a role that has placed him at the center of major decisions regarding the university's athletics programs.<ref name="si" /> | |||
In July 2025, following the departure of longtime athletic director Joe Castiglione, OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. announced that Stephenson would lead the search for the university's next athletic director. Stephenson's assumption of this role was widely noted in college sports media, with ''Sports Illustrated'' reporting that "Stephenson's presence moves to the forefront at OU" as the university sought new athletics leadership.<ref name="si" /> ''Sports Business Journal'' also reported on the search, noting that Harroz had designated Stephenson to head the effort as potential candidates began to emerge.<ref name="sbj">{{cite news |date=July 8, 2025 |title=OU AD search headed by Randall Stephenson as potential candidates emerge |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/07/08/ou-ad-search-headed-by-randall-stephenson-as-potential-candidates-emerge/ |work=Sports Business Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> | |||
The search process culminated in January 2026 with the appointment of Roger Denny as OU's 12th Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Director of Athletics.<ref name="soonersports">{{cite web |title=University of Oklahoma Appoints Roger Denny to Lead New Era of OU Athletics |url=https://soonersports.com/news/2026/1/23/university-of-oklahoma-appoints-roger-denny-to-lead-new-era-of-ou-athletics |publisher=Soonersports.com |date=January 23, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Stephenson's role in the selection was detailed in media coverage; ''On3'' reported that when Stephenson first reviewed Denny's resume, "it didn't particularly stand out, but that quickly changed," suggesting that Denny's candidacy grew on Stephenson through the interview and vetting process.<ref name="on3">{{cite news |date=2026 |title=Oklahoma adviser admits to blunt first thoughts on Roger Denny as AD candidate |url=https://www.on3.com/college/oklahoma-sooners/news/randall-stephenson-admits-he-initially-passed-on-roger-denny-for-next-oklahoma-ad/ |work=On3 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> | |||
Stephenson' | Following Denny's appointment, questions arose about the organizational hierarchy within OU athletics and how the reporting structure would function among Denny, Stephenson, and university president Harroz. ''247Sports'' examined this dynamic, describing the interplay between the new athletic director, the chair of football, and the university president in the governance of Oklahoma's athletics programs.<ref name="247">{{cite news |date=2026 |title=What Randall Stephenson's new role means for AD Roger Denny, OU's organizational hierarchy |url=https://247sports.com/college/oklahoma/article/who-reports-to-who-roger-denny-randall-stephenson-joseph-harroz-272652572/ |work=247Sports |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Stephenson's involvement at OU illustrates the growing trend of prominent business executives taking active governance roles in major college athletics programs, particularly as the landscape of college sports has undergone rapid change due to conference realignment, the introduction of name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation, and the evolving financial structure of intercollegiate athletics. | ||
== Personal Life == | == Personal Life == | ||
Stephenson has maintained his ties to Oklahoma throughout his | Stephenson has maintained a relatively private personal life despite his prominence in the business world. He has longstanding ties to the state of Oklahoma, where he was raised and educated, and has remained connected to the state's institutions throughout his career.<ref name="si" /> | ||
An obituary published in November 2025 by ''AL.com'' referenced Carolyn Bradford Stephenson, who was described as having been "reared by Alvie Terrell and Margaret Bradford in Russellville, Alabama" and as a graduate of the University of Oklahoma.<ref name="obit">{{cite news |date=November 14, 2025 |title=Carolyn Bradford Stephenson |url=https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/mobile/name/carolyn-stephenson-obituary?id=60055665 |work=AL.com |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> | |||
== Recognition == | == Recognition == | ||
Stephenson has | Stephenson has received recognition from several organizations for his contributions to business and public life. He was elected as a member of the [[American Academy of Arts and Sciences]], one of the oldest and most prestigious honorary learned societies in the United States. The Academy's profile of Stephenson highlights his role in leading AT&T's transformation into a converged technology, media, and telecommunications company.<ref name="amacad" /> | ||
During his | During his tenure at AT&T, Stephenson held positions of leadership in several industry and civic organizations. His profile as a corporate leader extended beyond the telecommunications industry, as he was sought out for board positions and advisory roles across multiple sectors, as evidenced by his ongoing service on the Walmart Board of Directors.<ref name="walmart" /> | ||
Stephenson's involvement at the University of Oklahoma has further enhanced his public profile, particularly in the world of college athletics, where his leadership of the athletic director search and his role as Chair of Football have drawn significant media attention.<ref name="si" /><ref name="sbj" /> | |||
== Legacy == | == Legacy == | ||
Randall Stephenson's | Randall Stephenson's legacy is most closely associated with his leadership of AT&T during a transformative period in the telecommunications and media industries. His tenure as Chairman and CEO saw the company evolve from a telecommunications carrier into a diversified conglomerate with significant holdings in media and entertainment.<ref name="amacad" /> The strategic decisions made under his leadership — particularly the acquisitions of DirecTV and Time Warner — reshaped the competitive landscape of the American media and telecommunications sectors. | ||
The convergence strategy that Stephenson championed at AT&T reflected a broader industry belief that control of both content and distribution would be essential in the digital age. While the long-term success of this strategy has been the subject of ongoing evaluation — AT&T subsequently divested its media assets under his successor — the scale and ambition of Stephenson's moves at AT&T left a lasting imprint on the industry. | |||
Beyond his corporate career, Stephenson's post-retirement activities have underscored the increasingly prominent role that business leaders play in the governance of American higher education and college athletics. His leadership at the University of Oklahoma during a period of significant transition — including the search for a new athletic director and the restructuring of the athletics program's organizational hierarchy — reflects a model in which experienced executives bring corporate governance practices to bear on the management of large university athletics programs.<ref name="247" /><ref name="soonersports" /> | |||
His | His continued involvement in corporate boardrooms, as evidenced by his role at Walmart, and in institutional governance at OU, positions Stephenson as a figure who remains active and influential in American business and public life following his departure from AT&T. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
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[[Category:University of Central Oklahoma alumni]] | [[Category:University of Central Oklahoma alumni]] | ||
[[Category:American chief executives]] | [[Category:American chief executives]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:American telecommunications industry businesspeople]] | ||
[[Category:Walmart people]] | [[Category:Walmart people]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:People from Oklahoma]] | ||
<html><script type="application/ld+json"> | <html><script type="application/ld+json"> | ||
{ | { | ||
Latest revision as of 06:11, 24 February 2026
| Randall L. Stephenson | |
| Birthplace | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Employer | Walmart (Board of Directors) |
| Known for | Former Chairman and CEO of AT&T Inc. |
| Education | University of Central Oklahoma (B.S.); University of Oklahoma (M.B.A.) |
Randall L. Stephenson is an American business executive who served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Inc., one of the world's largest telecommunications and media companies. During his tenure at the helm of AT&T, Stephenson led the company's transformation from a traditional telecommunications provider into a diversified enterprise spanning technology, media, and telecommunications.[1] His leadership oversaw some of the largest corporate acquisitions in American business history, including the purchase of DirecTV and the landmark acquisition of Time Warner. Since stepping down from AT&T, Stephenson has remained active in corporate governance and in philanthropic and advisory roles, most notably serving on the Board of Directors of Walmart Inc. and taking on a prominent role at the University of Oklahoma, where he has served as Chair of Football and led the search for the university's athletic director.[2] A native of Oklahoma, Stephenson rose through the ranks of the Southwestern Bell Corporation and its successor companies over a career spanning more than three decades, ultimately becoming one of the most prominent figures in American telecommunications.
Early Life
Randall L. Stephenson was born and raised in Oklahoma. Details regarding his parents and family upbringing remain largely private. He grew up in the Oklahoma City area, where he developed an early connection to the state that would later define much of his personal and professional identity. Oklahoma remained central to Stephenson's life even as his career took him to the upper echelons of global business; he has maintained deep ties to the state's institutions, particularly the University of Oklahoma, where he has been involved in various capacities over many years.[2]
Education
Stephenson received his undergraduate education at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He subsequently pursued graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma, earning a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.).[1] His educational background in accounting and business administration provided the foundation for a career that would span finance, operations, and executive leadership within the telecommunications industry.
Career
Rise Through AT&T
Stephenson began his career at Southwestern Bell Corporation, one of the regional Bell operating companies created following the breakup of the original AT&T (the Bell System) in 1984. Over the following decades, as Southwestern Bell evolved through a series of mergers and acquisitions — first becoming SBC Communications and then acquiring AT&T Corp. in 2005 and adopting the AT&T name — Stephenson rose through a succession of increasingly senior roles within the organization. His background in accounting and finance positioned him in key operational and financial leadership positions within the company's corporate structure.
Stephenson's career trajectory took him through various divisions and functions of the company, including roles in finance, operations, and corporate strategy. His broad operational experience across the enterprise gave him a comprehensive understanding of the telecommunications business, from network infrastructure to consumer services, and positioned him as a leading candidate for the company's top leadership role.
Chairman and CEO of AT&T
Stephenson was named Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Inc., succeeding Edward Whitacre Jr. He subsequently assumed the additional role of Chairman of the Board. As Chairman and CEO, Stephenson presided over a period of significant transformation for AT&T, steering the company into new business areas beyond traditional wireline and wireless telecommunications.
Under Stephenson's leadership, AT&T pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy aimed at positioning the company as a converged technology, media, and telecommunications enterprise.[1] Among the most significant transactions during his tenure was the acquisition of DirecTV, the satellite television provider, which expanded AT&T's footprint in the pay-television market. This was followed by the company's pursuit of Time Warner (later renamed WarnerMedia), a deal that represented one of the largest media acquisitions in history and brought properties including HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros. under the AT&T umbrella.
The Time Warner acquisition faced significant regulatory scrutiny and legal challenge from the United States Department of Justice, which sought to block the merger on antitrust grounds. The case went to trial in federal court, and AT&T ultimately prevailed, with the court ruling in favor of the merger. The acquisition closed in 2018, and AT&T subsequently reorganized its media assets under the WarnerMedia banner.
Stephenson's strategic vision for AT&T centered on the convergence of content and distribution — the idea that a company controlling both the delivery networks (wireless, broadband, and satellite) and premium content (film, television, and news) would be uniquely positioned to compete in an era of digital disruption and streaming media. This strategy was described by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as leading AT&T's "transformation into a global leader in the converging technology, media and telecommunications" sectors.[1]
During his time as CEO, AT&T also invested heavily in the buildout of its wireless network, including significant capital expenditures related to the deployment of next-generation network technologies. The company expanded its fiber-optic broadband footprint and invested in the development of technologies intended to support the growing demand for data services driven by smartphones, streaming video, and the Internet of Things.
Stephenson stepped down as CEO of AT&T, with John Stankey succeeding him in the role. He subsequently departed the chairmanship as well. His tenure at the top of AT&T spanned a period of enormous change in the telecommunications and media industries, marked by the rise of streaming services, the decline of traditional pay television, and intensifying competition among technology and media conglomerates.
Post-AT&T Corporate Activities
Following his departure from AT&T, Stephenson remained active in corporate governance. He serves on the Board of Directors of Walmart Inc., the world's largest retailer. In this capacity, Stephenson has been involved in key board-level decisions, including the appointment of new board members. In early 2026, Walmart announced the appointment of Shishir Mehrotra, CEO of Superhuman, to the company's Board of Directors, a decision on which Stephenson, along with Walmart Board Chairman Greg Penner, publicly commented.[3]
Role at the University of Oklahoma
Stephenson has taken on a significant advisory and leadership role at the University of Oklahoma (OU), particularly in the area of intercollegiate athletics. He has served as Chair of Football, a role that has placed him at the center of major decisions regarding the university's athletics programs.[2]
In July 2025, following the departure of longtime athletic director Joe Castiglione, OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. announced that Stephenson would lead the search for the university's next athletic director. Stephenson's assumption of this role was widely noted in college sports media, with Sports Illustrated reporting that "Stephenson's presence moves to the forefront at OU" as the university sought new athletics leadership.[2] Sports Business Journal also reported on the search, noting that Harroz had designated Stephenson to head the effort as potential candidates began to emerge.[4]
The search process culminated in January 2026 with the appointment of Roger Denny as OU's 12th Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Director of Athletics.[5] Stephenson's role in the selection was detailed in media coverage; On3 reported that when Stephenson first reviewed Denny's resume, "it didn't particularly stand out, but that quickly changed," suggesting that Denny's candidacy grew on Stephenson through the interview and vetting process.[6]
Following Denny's appointment, questions arose about the organizational hierarchy within OU athletics and how the reporting structure would function among Denny, Stephenson, and university president Harroz. 247Sports examined this dynamic, describing the interplay between the new athletic director, the chair of football, and the university president in the governance of Oklahoma's athletics programs.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title Stephenson's involvement at OU illustrates the growing trend of prominent business executives taking active governance roles in major college athletics programs, particularly as the landscape of college sports has undergone rapid change due to conference realignment, the introduction of name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation, and the evolving financial structure of intercollegiate athletics.
Personal Life
Stephenson has maintained a relatively private personal life despite his prominence in the business world. He has longstanding ties to the state of Oklahoma, where he was raised and educated, and has remained connected to the state's institutions throughout his career.[2]
An obituary published in November 2025 by AL.com referenced Carolyn Bradford Stephenson, who was described as having been "reared by Alvie Terrell and Margaret Bradford in Russellville, Alabama" and as a graduate of the University of Oklahoma.[7]
Recognition
Stephenson has received recognition from several organizations for his contributions to business and public life. He was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the oldest and most prestigious honorary learned societies in the United States. The Academy's profile of Stephenson highlights his role in leading AT&T's transformation into a converged technology, media, and telecommunications company.[1]
During his tenure at AT&T, Stephenson held positions of leadership in several industry and civic organizations. His profile as a corporate leader extended beyond the telecommunications industry, as he was sought out for board positions and advisory roles across multiple sectors, as evidenced by his ongoing service on the Walmart Board of Directors.[3]
Stephenson's involvement at the University of Oklahoma has further enhanced his public profile, particularly in the world of college athletics, where his leadership of the athletic director search and his role as Chair of Football have drawn significant media attention.[2][4]
Legacy
Randall Stephenson's legacy is most closely associated with his leadership of AT&T during a transformative period in the telecommunications and media industries. His tenure as Chairman and CEO saw the company evolve from a telecommunications carrier into a diversified conglomerate with significant holdings in media and entertainment.[1] The strategic decisions made under his leadership — particularly the acquisitions of DirecTV and Time Warner — reshaped the competitive landscape of the American media and telecommunications sectors.
The convergence strategy that Stephenson championed at AT&T reflected a broader industry belief that control of both content and distribution would be essential in the digital age. While the long-term success of this strategy has been the subject of ongoing evaluation — AT&T subsequently divested its media assets under his successor — the scale and ambition of Stephenson's moves at AT&T left a lasting imprint on the industry.
Beyond his corporate career, Stephenson's post-retirement activities have underscored the increasingly prominent role that business leaders play in the governance of American higher education and college athletics. His leadership at the University of Oklahoma during a period of significant transition — including the search for a new athletic director and the restructuring of the athletics program's organizational hierarchy — reflects a model in which experienced executives bring corporate governance practices to bear on the management of large university athletics programs.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title[5]
His continued involvement in corporate boardrooms, as evidenced by his role at Walmart, and in institutional governance at OU, positions Stephenson as a figure who remains active and influential in American business and public life following his departure from AT&T.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Randall L. Stephenson".American Academy of Arts and Sciences.https://www.amacad.org/person/randall-l-stephenson.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "How Randall Stephenson Suddenly Became Oklahoma's Big Man on Campus".Sports Illustrated.July 8, 2025.https://www.si.com/college/oklahoma/football/how-randall-stephenson-suddenly-became-oklahoma-s-big-man-on-campus-01jznpr86yxd.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Walmart Names Shishir Mehrotra to Board of Directors; Greg Penner and Randall Stephenson Comment".Deli Market News.January 12, 2026.https://www.delimarketnews.com/behind-counter/walmart-names-shishir-mehrotra-board-directors-greg-penner-and-randall-stephenson-comment/deli-staff/mon-01122026-0851/20810.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "OU AD search headed by Randall Stephenson as potential candidates emerge".Sports Business Journal.July 8, 2025.https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/07/08/ou-ad-search-headed-by-randall-stephenson-as-potential-candidates-emerge/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "University of Oklahoma Appoints Roger Denny to Lead New Era of OU Athletics".Soonersports.com.January 23, 2026.https://soonersports.com/news/2026/1/23/university-of-oklahoma-appoints-roger-denny-to-lead-new-era-of-ou-athletics.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Oklahoma adviser admits to blunt first thoughts on Roger Denny as AD candidate".On3.2026.https://www.on3.com/college/oklahoma-sooners/news/randall-stephenson-admits-he-initially-passed-on-roger-denny-for-next-oklahoma-ad/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Carolyn Bradford Stephenson".AL.com.November 14, 2025.https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/mobile/name/carolyn-stephenson-obituary?id=60055665.Retrieved 2026-02-24.