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: