Football
- Position:
- General Manager, Player Personnel
Mark Pantoni
General Manager, Player Personnel
Ohio State University
Mark Pantoni is in his 14th season with the Ohio State football program and is the program’s general manager. In this position, Pantoni supervises all aspects of the program’s administrative duties for personnel and recruiting, including NIL negotiations, high school and transfer portal film evaluations, on-campus official and unofficial visits and roster construction/management.
A terrific relationship with prospects and their families, and meticulous attention to detail and administrative skills, has helped Pantoni and Ohio State annually secure Top 5 recruiting classes, including five consecutive in the 247Sports rankings (#4 in 2025; #5 in 2023; #4 in 2022; #2 in 2021 and #5 in 2020). Ohio State’s recruiting classes also include a No. 2 ranking in 2018 and a 2017 class that produced the highest per player average in the 247Sports Composite rankings history.
Pantoni’s efforts have earned him numerous recognitions, including the best recruiting personnel person in the country in December 2021 by The Athletic and the FootballScoop 2014 Director of Player Personnel of the Year award after being a finalist for the honor in 2013.
Pantoni started in his Ohio State position in December 2011 after working at the University of Florida for six years where he was part of two national championship teams. He had direct responsibilities as a recruiting program coordinator for two seasons, including serving as Florida’s director of football administration from March 2011 through the end of the 2011 regular season.
Pantoni also helped with Florida’s highly successful summer camp showcase, Friday Night Lights. One of the best-known on-campus summer camps, this one-night event was held under the lights in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with music and highlight videos on the scoreboard. The concept of Friday Night Lights has continued in Columbus each July in Ohio Stadium.
A Florida native, Pantoni grew up in Sarasota and attended the University of Florida. He has both bachelor’s (Summa Cum Laude; 2004) and master’s (2006) degrees from Florida in applied physiology and kinesiology.
Pantoni’s wife, the former Kristin O’Berry, is also a Florida native (Jacksonville) and a University of Florida graduate. The couple has a set of twins: son Hayden and daughter, Madison.
Mark Pantoni Quick Facts
Hometown: Sarasota, Fla.
High School: Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota, Fla.) H.S.
Alma Mater: Florida, 2004
Master’s Degree: Florida, 2006
Year in Administration: 16th (14th year at Ohio State)
Wife: Kristin
Children: Twins Hayden and Madison
