Bjork will succeed Gene Smith, who will retire in July.

READ: Reports: Taulia Tagovailoa enters NFL Draft after NCAA denies waiver

“I have been extraordinarily fortunate to work with so many outstanding student-athletes, coaches, staff and university leaders throughout my career, and Ohio State represents the culmination of these efforts,” Bjork stated in a release. “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. I can’t wait to get started.”

Bjork led numerous projects while at Texas A&M. Among them include the construction of an academic and wellness center, football indoor performance center and indoor track stadium, according to a release.

READ: Michigan RB Donovan Edwards to return in 2024

Bjork also oversaw “the creation of AMPLIFY and AMPLIFY Local Exchange, which equips student-athletes with education and resources related to finance, personal branding, networking and media training.”

Bjork also was the athletics director at Mississippi where he was the youngest director of athletics within the Power Five. He also has stops at Western Kentucky, the University of California, Los Angeles, Miami and Missouri.

“Ross is uniquely equipped to step into our Buckeye community and make an immediate impact,” Smith stated in a release. “As I have said, Ohio State has afforded me the professional opportunity of a lifetime, and I am forever grateful. My final, important project over the next several months will be to work with Ross to ensure a smooth and effective transition with our student-athletes, coaches, department staff and university leaders.”

The post Ohio State names Texas A&M’s Ross Bjork next athletics director appeared first on Saturday Glory.

The 19th-year Buckeyes athletics director who is a native of Cleveland first arrived at Ohio State in April 2005. He’s spent nearly two decades guiding the Buckeyes and being a leading voice in the Big Ten Conference. 

“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 stated in a release. 

Smith has also served as athletic director at Eastern Michigan, Iowa State and Arizona State. He cited spending more time with family among his reasons for his impending retirement.

Some of Smith’s accomplishments include the creation of the Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute which includes Bucks Go Pro programs and internships for Buckeye student-athletes. Ohio State has also achieved 369 individual and 115 team conference championships during Smith’s tenure. 

Smith and his colleagues at Ohio State’s development team since 2005 have also raised more than $930 million, which represent over 77% of all funds raised for Ohio State athletics all-time, according to a release. 

Smith also currently serves on the NCAA NIL Working Group, as student-athletes received the right to profit from their name, image and likeness during his tenure in July 2021. He also served on the College Football Playoff Committee from 2017-20. 

Ohio State will see a change atop its athletics department on the cusp of the Big Ten expanding from 14 to 18 teams through the additions of Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington. 

Smith’s retirement will also come on the heels of a historic media rights agreement made by the Big Ten in August 2022. 

Among a number of changes since Smith took the position at Ohio State, Smith wants to make sure the next athletic director is ready for the current, ever-changing landscape of college athletics. 

“I have always believed that a leader seeks to be the right person at the right time in the life of the institution,” Smith stated in a release. “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.”

The post Ohio State athletic director Smith announces plan to retire in 2024  appeared first on Saturday Glory.