Gene Smith to remain Ohio State AD

Jun 3, 2008 - 7:16 PM COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Gene Smith announced Tuesday that he will remain in his current position of Ohio State athletic director, ending his candidacy for the same job at Notre Dame.

Rumors began circulating over the last few days that Smith would replace Kevin White, who left Notre Dame on Saturday to take the AD job at Duke University.

But Smith ended that speculation, claiming that he is happy at Ohio State and that he has not been contacted by Notre Dame.

"I have the utmost respect for Notre Dame and great admiration for the university and its athletics department, but I will not be a candidate for the job there," Smith said. "I am very happy being at the Ohio State University and am excited about its new leadership.

"I have not been contacted by Notre Dame. I am honored that many consider me to be a candidate, but I have no desire to leave Ohio State."

Smith joined Ohio State in March 2005 and oversees an athletics program working on a $110 million budget.

"Gene Smith is a key factor in our students' successes both on the playing field and in the classroom," Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee said. "I am delighted with his commitment to remain here at Ohio State."

"Gene Smith is the finest athletics director in America and we are so happy that he will remain at Ohio State," Buckeyes football coach Jim Tressel added. "He cares about every student-athlete, every coach and staff member, and the entire Buckeye Nation. This is a great day for all of us."