Ohio State hiring Ross Bjork as next AD

Ohio State named Ross Bjork its next athletic director, the school announced Tuesday.

Bjork, who was Texas A&M's director of athletics, will begin his new position on July 1, 2024. He'll succeed Gene Smith, who is retiring after holding the Ohio State athletic director role since 2005.

Smith welcomed Bjork to Ohio State and ensured he'd help his successor transition into the school during his final months.

"Ross is uniquely equipped to step into our Buckeye community and make an immediate impact," Smith said in a statement.

He added: "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."

Bjork was not Texas A&M's athletic director when football coach Jimbo Fisher was hired, but he was on the job when the school gave Fisher an extension that tied him to a large buyout clause. Fisher was fired in November 2023 and received nearly $76 million as part of that clause.

Bjork also previously worked at Ole Miss as an athletic director from 2012-2019 and at Western Kentucky from 2010-2012.