Ohio State hires Texas A&M athletic director Bjork

Jan. 16—COLUMBUS — Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork has been hired at Ohio State to replace longtime athletic director Gene Smith, who is retiring July 1.

Ohio State leaders announced Bjork’s hiring on Tuesday.

The 51-year-old Kansas native, who has more than 30 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, has been with Texas A&M since 2019.

Previously, he was athletics director at the University of Mississippi. He also served on the athletic staff at Western Kentucky, UCLA, Miami (Florida) and the University of Missouri.

“Few athletic directors have built such an impressive and strong record of success in athletics, in the classroom and throughout the community,” said Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. His own term at the university began on January 1. .

“The bar is incredibly high at Ohio State, and we have found a very intelligent and effective leader in Ross – not to mention a fierce competitor,” Carter said.

At Texas A&M, Bjork helped leaders in the Texas Legislature develop the new NIL law. He also oversaw the creation of programs to equip student-athletes with education and resources in finance, personal branding, networking and media training.

“Being 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,” said Bjork. “I can’t wait to get started.”

The nationally influential Smith is in his 19th year at Ohio State and leads one of the largest and most successful athletic programs in the country.