About Gene Smith
Gene Smith - Former Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director
Ohio State’s student-athletes excelled in the classroom and on the fields of play under the leadership of Gene Smith, who directed the nation’s largest and one of its elite athletic programs.
Smith is proud of the high-performance culture that has developed with the leadership of what he often refers to as “the best coaching staff in America.” Record achievements by individuals, teams and the entire athletic program attest to Ohio State’s commitment to the development of the total student-athlete in a holistic way.
Smith's Tenure
During Smith’s tenure, Ohio State dominated Big Ten Conference play, with 95 team and 305 individual conference championships.
On the national stage, Ohio State teams won 23 team and 89 individual national championships during Smith’s tenure, a mark of competitive excellence, and collected 1,285 All-America honors.
Fundraising
Smith raised more than $120 million for development projects, including: The Schumaker Complex, Covelli Center and Jennings Wrestling Facility.
In the Community
Smith served on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee (CFP), the Basketball Commission, chaired by Condoleezza Rice, and the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee of the NCAA. Locally, he served on the board of directors of the Columbus Museum of Art and the Columbus Club.
