Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork expressed strong confidence that Ryan Day will remain the Buckeyes' football coach in 2025, despite calls for his dismissal following a fourth consecutive loss to Michigan. Bjork emphasized Day's strengths and the importance of moving past the loss to focus on the upcoming College Football Playoff, where Ohio State will face Tennessee. Day's overall record is impressive, but his struggles against Michigan have put him under scrutiny from fans.
Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork has expressed his support for head coach Ryan Day following the Buckeyes' recent loss to Michigan, emphasizing the team's focus on the upcoming College Football Playoff. Despite calls from fans for a coaching change, Bjork praised Day for the stability and success of the program under his leadership, highlighting the team's consistent top-five rankings. Bjork remains committed to supporting Day and the team as they aim for a strong playoff run, though he acknowledges that future evaluations may occur depending on the playoff outcome.
Ohio State names Jake Diebler as its permanent men's basketball head coach after an impressive interim period, prompting social media reactions and support from figures like outgoing athletic director Gene Smith and incoming athletic director Ross Bjork, as well as former players and supporters. Diebler's hire is seen as a departure from the expected big splash, but a risk with potential for big rewards.
Gene Smith, the outgoing Ohio State athletic director, will assist incoming AD Ross Bjork in the search for the next head basketball coach, while also supporting interim coach Jake Diebler. Smith emphasized the importance of finding a coach who aligns with the program's values and culture, as well as the need to improve the team's performance and fan attendance. The coaching search will be led by Bjork, with Smith providing guidance and setting expectations, as Ohio State aims to revitalize its basketball program.
Ohio State University's Senior Vice President and Athletics Director, Gene Smith, has terminated the contract of men's basketball head coach Chris Holtmann, who had four years remaining on his contract. Associate head coach Jake Diebler will serve as interim head coach for the rest of the season. A search for the next head coach will begin at the end of the season, led by new Athletics Director Ross Bjork, who officially starts on July 1 but will begin work on March 1 in an interim role.
Former Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum has been named as the university's interim athletic director while they search for Ross Bjork's replacement, who is leaving for Ohio State. Slocum, who previously served in the same role in 2019, is the winningest coach in Texas A&M history and brings over 50 years of experience with the university.
Ohio State reportedly hires Bill O'Brien as its new offensive coordinator, while Ryan Day and Chris Holtmann share their first impressions of new athletic director Ross Bjork. The Ohio State men's basketball team needs to beat Penn State to maintain its momentum, and star athlete Caitlin Clark is set to visit Columbus for a game against Iowa. Additionally, the Skull Session covers various sports-related news and events in Columbus.
Ross Bjork, the incoming athletic director at Ohio State, emphasized the need to heavily embrace name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities while also advocating for a new financial model for paying athletes. With a successful track record in fundraising at Texas A&M, Bjork aims to position Ohio State at the forefront of the evolving college football landscape, which increasingly involves NIL and potential direct payments to players. He envisions centralizing NIL and financial resources within the athletics office and fostering open dialogue and structured approaches to managing players in the NIL space. Bjork's official role as athletic director begins on July 1.
Ross Bjork impresses at his introductory press conference as Ohio State's new athletic director, discussing his Ohio roots and addressing NCAA's proposed subdivision that could cost Ohio State $14.3 million. Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is a finalist for the NFL Rookie of the Year award, while a fundraiser is ongoing for the Mahaffey family, known for their contributions to Ohio's basketball scene.
Ross Bjork will become the new Ohio State athletic director on July 1, signing a five-year contract worth $2 million per year, including bonuses and incentives for athletic and academic achievements. Before assuming the role, he will serve as a senior advisor from March to June, earning $175,000 per month. Additionally, he will receive compensation for moving expenses and a temporary living allowance until he establishes permanent residence in Columbus.
Ohio State's new athletic director, Ross Bjork, will receive a five-year contract with an annual salary of $2 million, along with additional compensation such as a one-time payment of $1.09 million to cover his buyout from Texas A&M. His contract includes bonuses for athletic and academic achievements, as well as fringe benefits and allowances for relocation.
Ross Bjork, the incoming athletic director for Ohio State, outlined his vision for the program, emphasizing the importance of winning at the highest level, developing coaches, and fundraising. Ohio State President Ted Carter expressed confidence in Bjork's leadership qualities and experience in athletics, while also discussing the need for restructuring within the NCAA to consolidate power among the highest-resource programs. Bjork highlighted the significance of getting to know the coaches and aligning on big-picture items, as well as his commitment to maintaining all 36 varsity sports at Ohio State. He also addressed the challenges of NIL, the transfer portal, and recruiting, and expressed his support for football and the need for balance in coaching deals.
Ohio State chose to hire Ross Bjork, the current Texas A&M and former Ole Miss athletic director, as its new athletic director, departing from the tradition of selecting someone from the Gene Smith administrative tree. The decision reflects a desire for a new voice to navigate the uncertain future of college athletics, including potential changes such as athletes as employees and direct player payments. Bjork's experience and challenges in handling head football coaching situations and financial resources will be put to the test as he prepares Ohio State for the evolving landscape of college sports.
Ross Bjork has been hired as the new athletic director for Ohio State, marking a significant change for the Buckeyes following the retirement of longtime AD Gene Smith. Bjork, who previously worked at Texas A&M and Ole Miss, brings extensive SEC experience and will officially begin his tenure on July 1. His hiring signals a shift in direction under new president Ted Carter, and he is set to work with Smith on the transition. Ohio State is considered one of the top jobs in college athletics, and Bjork's appointment comes after his involvement in significant decisions at Texas A&M, including the firing of football coach Jimbo Fisher and the development of new NIL laws.
Ohio State has hired Ross Bjork, the former Texas A&M athletic director, to replace Gene Smith as the new athletic director for the Buckeyes. Bjork, known for his fundraising skills, has faced controversy during his career, including overseeing the Freeze scandal and NCAA investigation at Ole Miss and rewarding Jimbo Fisher with a hefty contract before firing him at Texas A&M. Ohio State's operating revenues rank among the highest in the country, and Bjork will begin his tenure on July 1, succeeding Smith, who served as the Buckeyes' athletic director for 18 years.
