Ohio State presented new athletic director Ross Bjork, who will succeed Gene Smith as he enters retirement.
Bjork has more than a decade of experience as an athletic director, having worked at Western Kentucky (2010-12), Ole Miss (2012-19), and Texas A&M (2019-24). He will become the eighth athletic director in the university’s history. Smith’s 19-year career in Columbus will end in June, with Bjork taking over on July 1.
What OSU President Ted Carter had to say
• Carter didn’t start his role until Jan. 1 but was kept in communication with what was happening. Said he was “firmly involved” from the moment he started.
• Carter on how quickly a hire was made: “If it looks like it’s a little bit rushed, it’s actually not.” Wanted to make sure there was some overlap time with Smith before completing taking over.
• Carter admitted that Bjork’s experience in the SEC as an athletic director “did make him attractive.”
• Carter said that Bjork’s Ohio connections were “a plus, not a requirement.” Also admitted that right now he doesn’t have a ton of Ohio connections, but felt confident in his experience and how he’d be welcomed.
• How did Bjork explain the Jimbo Fisher decision? “Ross has owned it as has the institution. … He answered that question satisfactorily enough.” Doesn’t think they’ll get into a decision like that at Ohio State.
• Smith will continue to operate as athletic director, making any and all decisions until June 30. Technically Bjork still works for Texas A&M: “Gene is still the boss.”
• “We’re 36 Division I sports, and that’s the way we’re intending to stay.”
What did Bjork have to say?
• “The School Up North. I get it. Every single day, we will be prepared.”
• On the Fisher decision and the Hugh Freeze situation at Ole Miss: “As we went through whatever it was at Ole Miss, whatever it what at Texas A&M, you own them.”
• More on the Freeze situation at Ole Miss: “We went on facts. … There was a lot of outside forces that infiltrated, but as far as the head coach we knew exactly what was happening from a compliance standpoint. Then he had a personal failure.”
• Early impressions of the football program and Ryan Day: ““Coach Day and I spent an hour together on Monday. I didn’t know him personally.” Called him a brilliant mind in football and a high-level leader. “I’m a football guy. I’m going to help, and make sure we compete at the highest level. Coach Day, he’s going to get it done. And it’s going to be a lot of fun when we win those championships.”
• “If I make people mad that means I probably made the right decision. If I make people happy that means I probably made the right decision.”
• On operating not the NIL space: “We have to get the culture right first and then we have to have a structure with NIL.”
• Said you’ll see him around Ohio State more after March 1.
• Is he in favor of football breaking off into its own thing in college sports: “The highest resourced institutions are different and finally we have a leader who’s acknowledged that in Charlie Baker.” Thinks there are things that can be cleaned up without that like the recruiting calendar and the transfer portal.
• On the differences between the Big Ten and the SEC: “I always say that a job in the SEC or the Big Ten aren’t for the faint of heart. … You better have the chops to handle this particular job.”
