Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith has announced his retirement, effective July 2024.¹ Smith, who has been leading the Buckeyes athletic department for 18 years, has become one of the most influential administrators in college athletics.
During his tenure, the Buckeyes have achieved significant success, including eight top finishes in the Big Ten Conference’s Director’s Cup standings, 115 team Big Ten titles, and 32 team national championships. Smith was also instrumental in hiring notable coaches, such as Urban Meyer in 2012 and Ryan Day in 2018.
Smith’s retirement coincides with significant changes in the college football landscape, including the Big Ten Conference’s expansion to include four new teams: USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington. The conference will also adopt a new scheduling model and eliminate divisions.
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