Ohio State AD Gene Smith to retire at end of June 2024

COLUMBUS — Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith announced Wednesday morning that he will retire from his position on June 30, 2024.

Smith has been the Buckeyes’ AD since 2005.

“I want to thank the leadership of The Ohio State University during my tenure for providing me the opportunity to serve as Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletic Director for the past 18 years,” Smith said in a statement. “The presidents and many members of the Board of Trustees I have served afforded me the professional opportunity of a lifetime, and I am forever grateful.

“I have always believed that a leader seeks to be the right person at the right time in the life of the institution. I believe that July 2024 is the right time to welcome new leadership to build upon what we have achieved and continue to build upon the great tradition of excellence in athletics and business advancement at Ohio State.”

Smith added: “Sheila and I look forward to the next chapter when we plan to spend more consistent quality time with our children, grandchildren, and extended family.”

Smith, 67, made it clear that the recent changes to college athletics “were not a part” of his decision to retire next June.

“Everything that’s happening, some of it I’ve seen before,” Smith said. “Realignment, I was blessed to be a part of the committee that went from the Big Eight to the Big 12. So realignment’s not new to me. NIL’s new to me. But the transfer portal is not new to me. Olympic sports have been dealing with that for years.”

Smith continued: “And so the changes in the industry is not what caused me to say I need to step away. My mentors have always have said, ‘You will know when it’s time. You’ll know.'”

This past academic year, Ohio State Athletics finished third in the 2022-23 Director’s Cup standings. The Buckeyes were also the top Big Ten finisher in that category, something they’ve done eight times under Smith. Also in 2022-23, the athletic department featured 765 OSU Scholar-Athletes, 190 Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholars and six Academic All-Americans.

What’s more, Ohio State Athletics, as a whole, recorded its highest cross-sport, multi-year academic progress rate (APR) in school history, according to data released by the NCAA. And, more specifically, Ohio State football posted its highest multi-year APR.

During Smith’s stay, Ohio State teams have won 115 Big Ten titles and 32 national titles.

Before taking over his AD post at Ohio State, Smith served as the AD at Arizona State (2000-2005), Iowa State (1993-2000) and Eastern Michigan (1985-1993), making up a 38-year career as an athletic director.

Smith’s 18-year tenure is the third-longest among ADs in Ohio State history. Smith is the eighth Buckeyes athletic director. The other seven were Andy Geiger (1994-2005), Jim Jones (1987-94), Richard Bay (1984-87), Hugh Hindman (1977-84), J. Edward Weaver (1970-77), Richard Larkins (1947-70), and Lynn W. St. John (1912-47).

“The national championship in football was special,” Smith said, when reflecting on his best memory at Ohio State Wednesday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Three national championship in men’s volleyball were special. The wrestling national championship was unreal.”

“But I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve been able to develop a culture where we develop the student-athlete holistically.”