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.
Gene Smith announces that he will be retiring as Ohio State’s athletic director effective June 30, 2024 pic.twitter.com/lF0c8QFy9Z
— Bill Landis (@BillLandis25) August 9, 2023
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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