Ohio State Football’s History in the Gene Smith Era

With the news that Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith plans to retire on June 30th, 2024, before the start of the 2024 football season, it is a great time to take a look back on his time as a Buckeye Athletic Director that will have spanned nearly two decades. Like people in their most earnest efforts, Smith had ups and downs as an athletic director. As I am a save-the-best-for-last kind of guy, let’s first dive into some of the criticisms of his time at Ohio State. The good news for Gene Smith is that even when there are places for criticism the places for praise far outnumber them.

The Tough Decisions

One thing I wish he would do (and still could before retiring next summer) is attempt to get the 2010 Buckeyes their wins and achievements back. In a time when players are finally allowed to profit from their play for the Buckeyes to the tune of millions of dollars, it only seems fitting and more importantly just, that players who sold possessions for hundreds of dollars be given their accomplishments back.

That team went 12-1, won a share of the Big Ten Championship, the Buckeyes’ sixth straight, had won their seventh straight over that team up north, and won the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas, giving Ohio State its first postseason victory over the SEC. With the NCAA invalidating his disciplinary penalties by giving Penn State all of their wins and records back after the horror that went on there, minor infractions that are no longer infractions should be remedied. And I can’t think of a better guy to do it for the 2010 Buckeyes than Gene Smith.

I did not agree with him at all before the 2012 season when Ohio State was banned from the postseason by the NCAA for what was known as Tattogate. When the ban came down, Smith decided the team wouldn’t appeal the NCAA’s decision and accept it and move on. Would the NCAA have reversed their decision? Probably not. But not exhausting every option leaves Buckeye Nation wondering if they missed out on a National Championship opportunity as that team finished 12-0 and won victories on the field of the top four teams in the Big Ten.

The Triumphs

But enough of the negative especially when the positives are so much greater and from a football standpoint alone! Let’s look at the accomplishments of Buckeye athletics during Gene Smith’s tenure. Starting with a tough job he did well and that was finding the best guy to coach Ohio State football. Hiring Urban Meyer in November of 2011 was easily the best call Gene Smith made for Buckeye football and it paid off well with an undefeated season in 2012 and a national championship season in 2014.

Another way Gene Smith left a positive mark on Ohio State and college football was when he was an advocate for letting the players decide if they wanted to play in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. His voice and efforts in this led to the Big Ten deciding to go back on canceling their season. Not only did the team have success that year in winning the Big Ten, the Sugar Bowl, and finishing as national runner-up, but they were a strength to millions of Buckeye fans who needed something good going on in the chaos that had engulfed the world that year.

Honoring Legends

Gene Smith did a great job with the recognition of Buckeye Greats. In the fall of 2005, one of the first things Gene Smith did was add Woody Hayes to the Ohio State Ring of Honor in Ohio Stadium. Until that point, only Heisman Trophy Winners and National Champion teams had been there. Smith kept the tribute to Hayes simple, noting he was the Buckeyes coach from 1951 through 1978, and that he won 13 Big Ten Championships and five National Championships.

Smith would go on to add 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and his #10 to the Shoe and Buckeye legend, national champion, NFL great, and pioneer for equality Bill Willis and his #99. Paul Brown, as Ohio’s Coach with six high school state championships, the 1942 National Championship at Ohio State, three NFL Championships with the Cleveland Browns, and getting to two Super Bowls with the Cincinnati Bengals. No matter what the sport, when Ohio State Athletics had success Gene Smith made sure they were recognized in his tenure, both by history and the contemporary public.

What’s Next for the Buckeyes

A big positive way for him to go out would be to help find his successor. While there are plenty of people who have worked for Gene Smith that would be popular hires, like Pat Chun of Washington State, the fans have already mentioned someone else. Former Ohio State head coach and Youngstown State president, Jim Tressel. Coach Tressel may be like Gene Smith and ready to enjoy some much-deserved retirement, but also like Smith he is always looking to have a positive impact on young people. He has the experience that he would continue to do and continue to build on Gene Smith’s success.

Thankful Buckeyes

Let’s take a look at the number of successes the football program has had in his time as athletic director. One national title in 2014, one undefeated season in 2012, four national championship appearances, four playoff appearances, 12 Big Ten Championships (I count 2010 and 2012), a record of 14-3 against that team up north, a Heisman Trophy winner, 9-8 in New Years Six Bowl games and an overall record of 200-33, with at least 12 games in an entire season left. No one could argue that the Gene Smith Era at Ohio State has been anything other than a resounding success. On behalf of Buckeye Nation, Thank you, Gene!