Gene Smith has been the Athletic Director at Ohio State since 2005, and as of today will remain in that role until at least 2026. Smith has agreed to sign a five-year contract extension to remain the man in charge of the Buckeye athletic program and received a healthy raise as well going from an annual salary of $1.1 million to $1.58 million. The university confirmed the news today after multiple reports.
Among the many changes to Smith’s new contract are his increases in various performance bonuses including a whopping $50,000 for a national championship appearance, $35,000 if the Buckeyes appear in the College Football Playoffs or one of the New Year’s Six bowl games, and a possible $20,000 bonus if Ohio State wins the Big Ten championship in football.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith gets contract extension https://t.co/78nUcjPjOh
— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) May 19, 2021
Smith has previously spent time as an athletic director at Eastern Michigan, Iowa State, and Arizona State before ending up at Ohio State. Another fun fact is Smith was at Notre Dame with Rudy Ruettiger, and Smith was actually the player who came out of the game so Rudy could play.
And, count us in the camp that believes Smith is one of the best in the business. Ohio State will be in good hands for the next few years.
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