Tag: Gene Smith

Ohio State AD Gene Smith speaks out about basketball coach Chris Holtmann’s future

Some interesting comments from Gene Smith on the future of Chris Holtmann. #GoBucks

The Ohio State basketball team is again floundering in January after having a pretty promising start to the 2023-2024 season. That makes two years in a row and the Buckeyes are in serious jeopardy of not making the NCAA Tournament once again. In fact, it would be a bit of a shock for this team to turn it around and find a way to elbow its way into all of the madness.

With all of the troubles on the court once again, especially after two highly regarded recruiting classes, one has to wonder what outgoing athletic director, Gene Smith, thinks about the job that Holtmann is doing.

Well, wonder no more. In a story that appeared in the Columbus Dispatch, Smith provided a bit of an opening to suggest that he may have a decision to make before he officially retires at the end of June.

“We have a lot of this season left to play, and we have coaches and players that are focused on winning every day,” Smith was quoted as saying in The Columbus Dispatch. “I’m looking forward to seeing how this turns out.”

That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement and we could very well see some action if the team and coaches can’t pull things together and end the season on a high note.

Who knows what it’ll take for Smith to make a decision either way, but you have to believe not making the NCAA Tournament wouldn’t be a positive development. If a move is made, a buyout of $14 million would have to be absorbed by the university.

Tick tock goes the clock.

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USC and Ohio State athletic director positions remain open

USC and Ohio State still have not hired their next athletic directors.

We noted a few weeks ago that USC and Ohio State might both be interested in one candidate for athletic director: Pat Chun of Washington State.

“The Ohio State athletic director job just came open when it was announced longtime AD Gene Smith will retire in 2024.

“Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, who recently hammered the Pac-12 Conference for its failed leadership and overall mismanagement, used to work under Gene Smith. Some Ohio State insiders think he would be the best, most natural replacement for Smith in Columbus. With USC entering the Big Ten, Chun’s work under Gene Smith makes him a very attractive candidate.

“Are we seeing a situation in which USC and Ohio State have the same No. 1 choice, especially with Donati of TCU out of the running?

“Ohio State is probably the favorite to land Chun as its next athletic director, but if USC wants to make a run at Chun, the time is now.”

While we wait to see what both schools will do to fill their open AD positions, catch some reactions from fans and journalists to Gene Smith announcing his upcoming retirement, creating a vacancy in Columbus:

College Sports Roundup: Ohio State AD Gene Smith set to retire, ACC’s potential expansion and more from the College Wires

One of the country’s most powerful athletic directors is retiring, the latest on the ACC’s conversations regarding expansion, and more from the College Wires.

One of the most powerful athletic directors in college athletics will soon be retiring from their post.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith announced Wednesday that he will retire on June 30, 2024. For the university, it will represent another significant change in leadership. Earlier this year, Ohio State saw President Kristina Johnson resign from her position at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year after the Ohio State’s board of trustees requested she do so.

The university is currently still searching for Johnson’s successor. After they find their next president, the university will quickly begin looking for Gene Smith’s successor.

Smith has been the athletic director at Ohio State since taking over the position in 2005. He was also the athletic director in his career at Eastern Michigan, Iowa State, and Arizona State. During his time with Ohio State, Smith became one of the most influential people in college athletics, having a heavy influence in the Big Ten and nationally.

During his tenure in Columbus, he has seen his athletic department win 32 team national championships and 117 individual national championships.

While Ohio State will likely continue to be a national power across the college sports landscape no matter who they hire as their next athletic director, the loss of Smith for Ohio State and Big Ten could not be overstated.

The relationship between a president, athletic director, and head coaches of athletics teams is also significant for overall success. In the future, It will be intriguing to see how Ohio State’s head coaches, especially head football coach Ryan Day, ultimately align with the university’s next president and athletic director.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith announces retirement

Who might be the next athletic director at Ohio State?

The Ohio State athletic program will be looking for new leadership at the end of the current school year. Athletic director Gene Smith announced his retirement Wednesday morning at a press conference at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

Smith was full of gratitude as he shared the news thanking the administration, presidents and board of trustees he has worked with for nearly two decades. Smith will step down from his duties effective June 30, 2024.

Gene Smith has been the athletic director at The Ohio State University since 2005 and will complete his time as a Buckeye with 19 years of service. Smith is the longest-tenured AD in the Big Ten.

You can hear his announcement below.

Certainly, a nationwide search will begin sooner rather than later to run one of the largest athletic programs and biggest brands in college sports. With the new age of NIL deals and the ever-changing landscape of conference realignment, Ohio State has a great task ahead of it to find the right person to take the reins.

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Gene Smith releases statement on additions of Oregon and Washington to Big Ten

Gene Smith is embracing the additions of Washington and Oregon to the Big Ten. #GoBucks

The Big Ten conference is expanding yet again. Just a little over a year after the two L.A. schools, UCLA and USC defected from the Pac-12 to join the conference, we have two more suitors from the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and Washington. So — stay with me — there will now be eighteen teams in the new and improved (we think) Big Ten.

The reactions from around the college football world have been about as swift as this all played out, and Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith got into the act, releasing a statement on the addition of the Ducks and Huskies.

“Welcoming the universities of Oregon and Washington to the Big Ten is exciting for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans,” said Smith. “Both schools are members of the AAU and share Ohio State’s commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the playing field.”

Smith went further on X (formerly Twitter) to talk about the opportunities to bring the Ohio State brand to other parts of the country.

“The additional west coast teams will assist with the integration of USC and UCLA, and provide additional opportunities for our student athletes to compete in front of Buckeye alumni and fans from coast to coast.”

We’ll have more on this fast-swirling news and what it all means for Ohio State and the Big Ten in general from the need to shake up schedules, travel considerations, matchup scenarios, and more.

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Gene Smith responds to question of whether Ryan Day is on the ‘hot seat’ after Michigan losses

Are you still behind what Ryan Day is doing as the caretaker of the Ohio State football program? #GoBucks

If you’ve been listening to some of the national media and those up in Ann Arbor, many would have you believe that Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is on the proverbial “hot seat” after losing to Michigan two straight years. Because of it, there hasn’t been a Big Ten title and OSU missed out on the College Football Playoff in 2021.

I’ve never bought into the notion that a third straight loss to Michigan would result in Day’s firing. He’s got a 45-6 record, has been to the College Football Playoff three of the last four years, and has the culture and recruiting in a very, very good spot.

But don’t take it from Mr. Sportswriter here. No, instead, thanks to the Columbus Dispatch, you can hear about Day’s job status directly from the man that makes the decision on those sorts of things, Ohio State Athletic Director, Gene Smith.

The Dispatch’s Joey Kaufman and Bill Rabinowitz sat down with Smith (subscription may be required) for a wide-ranging interview, and asked the OSU AD about the job Day is doing as the caretaker of the Ohio State football program and if his job is in jeopardy.

“He’s (Ryan Day) really grown. He’s really, really good,” Smith told the Dispatch. “You said it. 45-6. At the end of the day, sure, we have to win that game (against Michigan). We’ve got to win the Big Ten championship and get to the national championship game and win that at some point, which is something that he aspires to do. But he’s done a great job. You look at the culture of the team. They’re good young men. That’s the culture you want. He’s embraced the things that were in place after Urban (Meyer) left, but then he’s enhanced so many other things. I feel great about him, and he’s our coach for the future.”

When pressed further about Day’s status as the head coach of the OSU program, Smith was candid and to the point about the job he is doing in his opinion — the one that matters of course.

“He’s not in that situation at all (on the hot seat). But that’s normal,” continued Smith. “That’s what we all deal with. The platforms of people being able to express their opinions have changed. You’re going to hear from everyone, no matter whether they’re rational or prudent. It’s the truth. I always keep it in perspective. His record is phenomenal.”

That sounds about as clear as things can be. Smith has always gotten the big picture, yet embracing of reality. Sure, Day has to beat Michigan and go win a national championship at some point, but the program isn’t in dire straights despite what some Michigan media members think.

Maybe that changes if a third straight loss to the Wolverines happens, but there would have to be a lot more things catching on fire around the Woody Hayes Athletic Center before we believe the program is burning down.

I have a feeling we’ll see the fruits of the labor that’s been put in during the 2023 season.

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Ohio State AD Gene Smith throws weight behind bipartisan NIL legislation

Do you like how NIL is unfolding, or do you believe Gene Smith is right to endorse a bill to put some federal oversight to it? #GoBucks

Name, image and likeness has had a sudden, norm-shattering effect at the collegiate level, especially in revenue sports football and basketball — and it’s here to stay.

Sadly, though, there aren’t many guardrails from state to state on how NIL is governed and monitored, and it has led to significant inequality and stretching of the rules across the country. NIL is a good thing for student-athletes, enabling them to finally benefit from their hard work, but nobody really knows how it is best supported and held in check. When there are loopholes, some will always find a way to skirt the spirit of what is intended.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith has been a proponent of NIL, but has continually banged the drum that there needs to be better oversight to level the playing field across teams, conferences and states.

Well, now Smith is throwing his weight behind an effort to do just that from Ohio congressmen Mike Carey and Greg Landsmen. It’s called the “Student Athlete Level Playing Field Act,” and it is a bipartisan bill designed to create a standard for NIL at the federal level.

“I’m pleased that student-athletes now have the opportunity to benefit from their name, image and likeness, Smith said in a statement released by Carey’s office. “At Ohio State, our NIL programming assists student-athletes as they capitalize on their hard work, generate income for necessary expenses, and learn marketing and financial literacy skills. However, NIL laws and regulations remain inconsistent from state to state. Representative Carey’s work to bring forth consistent, national NIL regulations will further protect student athletes and bring order to NIL policies and procedures nationwide. On behalf of Ohio State, I want to thank Representative Carey for this significant and important legislation.”

We can’t argue that there is something needed at a federal level to keep things in check and hold those in power accountable in the new, brave world of NIL, and we sincerely hope this or another bill like it finds its way into law at some point in the very near future.

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Ohio State AD Gene Smith provides vote of confidence for Chris Holtmann

Ohio State AD Gene Smith provided a vote of confidence for much-maligned coach Chris Holtmann in an interview with the Columbus Dispatch.

Things have been awfully painful to watch this season if you’re an Ohio State basketball fan. The team started out on the right foot and looked like a young team that could figure things out, showing signs of possessing the talent and effort needed to make a run in the Big Ten.

But then January hit and the wheels fell off of the proverbial bus that’s now headed nowhere sunny. The defense hasn’t been a strong suit all year, and the offense that was once the most efficient in the country has sputtered and smoked in the halfcourt with a horrendous assist-to-turnover ratio and lack of ball and player movement.

Heck, the Buckeyes have been losing skid stoppers in the wrong way for teams like Minnesota and Wisconsin that have gotten positive results in Value City Arena after looking lost themselves. The latest was a 65-60 home loss to Wisconsin on Thursday night.

There’s not a lot of good to point to, and seven years into Chris Holtmann’s tenure, Ohio State has yet to win a Big Ten regular season or conference title, hasn’t advanced out of the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and has seen significant roster turnover almost every year.

It’s all led to a fanbase that is extremely disgruntled and indifferent as the season progresses. The “hot seat” comments, desires, and demands have gone from a whisper to a loud roar in Columbus.

But don’t tell Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith that. In an interview with the Columbus Dispatch, the man in charge of OSU athletics threw his weight behind the job that Holtmann is doing.

“I’m confident in what Chris is doing,” Smith told the Dispatch. “Chris is our coach of the future. He’s doing an outstanding job.”

To date, Holtmann has steered Ohio State to at least 20 wins in each season and made the NCAA Tournament every year aside from 2020 when it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those two streaks are destined to come to an end with OSU sitting at 11-11 and 3-8 in the Big Ten, with just nine regular-season games remaining.

Smith pointed to the youth of this year’s team as a reason for the struggles and seems to be willing to wait things out with development and growth.

“These are young guys,” Smith said. “I really look forward to them continuing to grow and get better. There’s a lot of games left. We’ve just got to keep getting better.”

It’s true that the core of the team is young, and there’s also help on the way. Holtmann and staff signed the No. 8 class in the country for 2022 according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, and have another good one coming in that’s currently ranked as No. 6 in the country.

One way or another, with the layers of talent coming in and the expectations it will bring, there won’t be any excuses in the near future. Smith’s response will either be prophetic or will have to take on a different tone in another year or two.

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Two concerning videos regarding Ohio State and name, image and likeness

The issues could be fixed fairly easily but at some costs #GoBucks

The Buckeyes have one of the biggest athletic department budgets in the nation but it seems like there is a big disconnect between what [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] Athletic Director [autotag]Gene Smith[/autotag] wants to do regarding Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) with his program.

He has gone on record to say that the university will not give money to players, it has to be through collectives, like the one former national championship-winning quarterback [autotag]Cardale Jones[/autotag] has a hand in, THE Foundation.

As we saw during the early signing period, prospects all across the country were lured by upfront payments and schools like Oregon and Alabama reaped the benefits of 5-star prospects and transfers.

As I scoured the Twittersphere today, I came across two separate videos that go over Ohio State’s NIL strategy or lack thereof, and I outline my takes from each of them.

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Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today

Ohio State athletic director slams the door on additional Big Ten acquisitions of Pac-12 schools

Ohio State AD Gene Smith recorded a podcast with #USC AD Mike Bohn. Smith said of the Big Ten, ‘There were really only two schools which made sense for us: USC and UCLA.’

Will the Big Ten continue to expand by plucking Pac-12 schools? Don’t bet on it. How can we tell you this? Ohio State’s athletic director, the most powerful athletic director in the Big Ten, made a very specific and direct comment on a podcast with USC’s athletic director which cannot be interpreted any other way.

Ohio State AD Gene Smith is a major power broker in college sports. Moreover, he used to be a Pac-10 athletic director at Arizona State, so he definitely knows the landscape in the Pac-12 Conference beyond USC and UCLA. If anyone was in a position to know which schools added value to the Big Ten, it’s Smith. Moreover, if anyone was in a position to recommend Pac-12 schools other than USC and UCLA, it’s Smith. If he really wanted other schools from the Pac-12 to join the Big Ten, chances are it would happen.

If Smith is opposed to other Pac-12 schools joining, that’s a vote which represents a pretty firm brick wall, a barrier to any future Big Ten expansion by raiding the Pac-12.

Guess what Smith said on a recent podcast with USC Athletic Director Mike Bohn?

I guess that closes the door.

You can listen to the podcast at the link provided in the embedded tweet and video above.

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