Ohio State has appointed Ross Bjork as its Athletic Director, selecting the former administrator from Texas A&M and Ole Miss to succeed Gene Smith.
Ohio State University has announced the appointment of Ross Bjork, the current athletic director at Texas A&M, to assume the same role for the Buckeyes. The announcement, made on Tuesday, reveals that Bjork, known for his extensive experience in the SEC, will take over from Gene Smith, who retired in August 2023 after serving as the Buckeyes’ administrator for 18 years. Bjork is set to commence his tenure at Ohio State on July 1.
Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. praised Bjork’s impressive track record in athletics, academics, and community engagement, noting that the university has found in Bjork a highly intelligent and effective leader with a competitive spirit. Recognized as a top fundraiser in college athletics, Bjork has held key roles at various institutions, becoming the youngest athletic director in the FBS when hired at Western Kentucky in 2010.
Expressing his excitement, Bjork stated, “To be a part of Buckeye Nation, along with its storied traditions and long history of achievement, is a tremendous honor and a welcome challenge for me and our family. I can’t wait to get started.”
While Bjork has contributed to successful coaching eras, such as with Willie Taggart at WKU and the Jimbo Fisher era at Texas A&M, his career has not been without controversy. He was at the helm during the Hugh Freeze scandal and NCAA investigation at Ole Miss, resulting in the firing of Freeze and the vacating of wins. At Texas A&M, Bjork controversially terminated Fisher’s contract, which carried a record-breaking buyout of over $70 million, and hired Mike Elko as the new head coach.
Despite overseeing a high-profile position at Texas A&M, Ohio State is regarded as an even more prominent athletic director job. The university ranked first in total operating revenues for the 2021-22 school year, surpassing Texas by $12 million and standing among the few athletic departments to exceed $200 million. Gene Smith, who served as Ohio State’s athletic director since 2005, leaves behind a legacy of success, including the 2014 national championship, and has influenced the careers of notable athletic department officials like Pat Chun, Martin Jarmond, and Heather Lyke. However, with the hiring of Bjork, Ohio State appears to be exploring leadership from outside this established network.
