Gene Smith announced that he would be stepping down as the Ohio State University Athletic Director in August of 2023. After an extensive search, the University announced that Ross Bjork will take over the athletic department beginning on July 1, 2024.
Bjork comes from Texas A&M where he has served in the same role since 2019. Bjork will officially be introduced as the new AD at a press conference scheduled for noon on Wednesday. In the Ohio State press release, Bjork had this to say about coming to Columbus.
“I have been extraordinarily fortunate to work with so many outstanding student-athletes, coaches, staff, and university leaders throughout my career, and Ohio State represents the culmination of these efforts,” Bjork said in Ohio State’s release. “To be a part of Buckeye Nation, along with its storied traditions and long history of achievement, is a tremendous honor and a welcome challenge. I can’t wait to get started.”
We're welcoming a new athletics director this summer! Ross Bjork will begin his tenure at @OhioStAthletics on July 1. We're looking forward to all he will accomplish as part of Buckeye Nation! ⭕️🙌https://t.co/HeMk2xpOr8
— Ohio State (@OhioState) January 16, 2024
Bjork will take over for Smith who has spent the last 19 years leading athletics at OSU. Known as a fundraiser, it will be a huge part of his job to increase Ohio State’s Name, image and likeness (NIL), opportunities and impact to stay competitive in this new college landscape.
At one point, it was thought that Washington State’s Pat Chun who is also an OSU alum, was the frontrunner to land the job, but ultimately, trustees felt more comfortable with Bjork. New Ohio State University President, Ted Carter, seems to be extremely excited about the new addition.
“The bar is incredibly high at Ohio State, and we have found in Ross a highly intelligent and effective leader – not to mention a fierce competitor.”
Bjork will be the ninth athletic director in Ohio State history and takes over the largest athletic budget in the nation.
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