The Gene Smith Podcast

Welcome to the Gene Smith Podcast, presented by Encova, where we sit down each month to speak with the Ohio State Senior Vice President & Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director to talk about the current state of OSU Athletics.

Smith was looking for a way to tell Ohio State’s success stories and celebrate the student-athletes, coaches and staff that make up Ohio State Athletics. To accomplish this goal, The Gene Smith Podcast was born.

Listen below for the latest episodes, and look for new episodes each month.

🔊 Season 2 | Episode 3: Return from the CFP, the 2020 football season, NIL, transfers and more 

We visit with Gene upon his return from the 2021 College Football National Championship game and discuss the journey that was 2020 for the Buckeye football team. We also dive into recent Name, Image and Likeness, transfers and postseason tournament developments.

Watch videos from Season 2 – Episode 3:

🎥 Reaction to 2021 CFP Championship and the journey that was the 2020 season

🎥 Ryan Day’s tremendous work at head coach of the 2020 Buckeyes

🎥 The NCAA Basketball Tournament “bubbles”

🎥 Name, Image and Likeness developments and pending impacts

🎥 Nearing return to competition for Olympic sports

🔊 Season 2 | Episode 2: Reaching the CFP, Flexible Scheduling and Return to Competition

In the latest episode, Smith expounds on football team reaching college football playoff, an ever-flexible athletics landscape and the return to competition for Olympic sports.

Watch videos from Season 2 – Episode 2:

🎥 Student-athletes overcoming obstacles of the 2020 season

🎥 Football team reaching the 2020 College Football Playoff

🎥 Adjusted protocols as the football teams heads to the CFP

🎥 Men’s basketball schedule adjustment at the 2020 CBS Sports Classic

🎥 Expected return to competition for winter and spring sports

🔊 Season 2 | Episode 1 : Navigating Athletics Competition during COVID-19

In the latest episode, Smith discusses the current state of OSU Athletics in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s impact on the college football landscape, and the department has dealt with the challenges it has faced.

Watch videos from Season 2 – Episode 1:

🎥 Football game decision process

🎥 College Football Playoff selection committee during COVID-19

🎥 Winter sports return to competition

🎥 Status of Olympic sports

🔊 Season 1 | Episode 9: Department Operations during COVID-19

In the latest episode, Smith discusses how Ohio State Athletics has dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic to this point, the national discussions he’s had pertaining to this crisis, and what life has looked like for him and his family while staying at home.

Watch videos from Episode 9:

🎥 College Athletics Landscape

🎥 Student-Athlete Support

🎥 Spring Student-Athletes

🎥 Working from home

🔊 Season 1 | Episode 8: Buckeyes and Beyond — International Competition

Gene speaks with Kathrin Demler (Women’s Swimming) and Myles Martin (wrestling) about their preparation to represent Ohio State in international competition.

🔊 Season 1 | Episode 7: Business Partnerships, Budgeting and Scheduling

Diana Sabau, deputy director of athletics, joins Gene to offer an inside look at the business operations side of the department as well as discuss the football scheduling process.

Video clip: a look inside football scheduling

🔊 Season 1 | Episode 6: Day’s Transition and Preparation

In the latest episode, Smith begins a series that highlights the excellent work of staff members at OSU by talking with Head Football Coach, Ryan Day, about the transition to his new role and how he prepared for this opportunity throughout his career.

🔊 Season 1 | Episode 5: Leadership and Life Skills

Smith discusses the programs OSU has developed to help prepare student-athletes for life outside of the competitive arena with Director of Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute, Maddy McIntyre and former Buckeye Men’s Ice Hockey student-athlete, Christian Lampasso.

🔊 Season 1 | Episode 4: Name, Image and Likeness

Crossover season between the fall and winter sports has arrived. In this episode, Smith discusses student-athlete name, image and likeness regulation.

🔊 Season 1 | Episode 3: The Ohio State Athletics District

Smith discusses the Ohio State Athletics District, facility upgrades and expansion. He is joined by Izzy Rodriguez of the Buckeye women’s soccer team and Kollin Moore of OSU wrestling to speak about the impact of facility upgrades and expansions.

🔊 Season 1 | Episode 2: Student-Athlete Mental Health 

Smith discusses student-athletes and expanded emphasis on their mental health and well-being.

🔊 Season 1 | Episode 1: The Gene Smith Podcast Introduction