Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith announces retirement plan. Details here

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith has announced his retirement plan. He said Wednesday that he will retire from his office effectively in July 2024. The most-respected sports administrator has shocked athletes and sports enthusiasts.

His announcement has come at a time when Ohio State colleges are going through a tumultuous time. Under the leadership of Gene Smith, Ohio State finished at the top of the Director’s Standing in Big Ten athletics program eight times. Now Big Ten will be an 18-team conference in 2024.

Explaining the time and reason for quitting in 2024, Gene Smith said that July 2024 is the right time to welcome the new leadership so that it could build upon what has been achieved and continue building upon the great tradition of athletics.

Reacting to Gene Smith’s announcement of retirement, Ohio State Football tweeted, “Thank you for leading one of the largest and most successful athletic program in the country.” -Ohio State Football Ohio State Women’s Volleyball said in its tweet, «No words can sum up what Gene Smith has meant to Ohio State and the VolleyBucks. Thankful to have one more year with him and Shelia in the stands at Covelli. We are excited for your next!!» -Ohio State Women’s Volleyball

Talking to the journalists, Gene Smith said that the next Ohio State President will be given the responsibility of finding his successor. Before taking responsibility for Ohio, Gene Smith was the sports director of the states of Arizona, Iowa, and Eastern Michigan.

Talking about the toughest challenge he had, the sports director said that 2011 was