Owens Steps Down At Oklahoma

Steve Owens resigned abruptly as Oklahoma’s athletic director, just a year and a half after taking the job.

President David Boren confirmed Owens’ resignation at a news conference.

“The last six months have been an enormously difficult time for me and my family and have given me a different perspective on my priorities,” Owens said in his letter of resignation.

Owens replaced Donnie Duncan as athletic director in August 1996.

But his family was rocked last fall by the suicide of his oldest son, Blake. Owens wound up taking an extended leave of absence, and only returned to the job at the start of this year.

His resignation came just a week after the department was criticized for the firings of eight people, including popular assistant athletic director Jerry Pettibone.