COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gene Smith, senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation athletic director at The Ohio State University, announced his retirement Wednesday morning.

The 67-year-old Smith will retire in July 2024 after spending the past 18 years at Ohio State. He has worked as an athletic director for the past 38 years.

“I want to thank the leadership of The Ohio State University during my tenure for providing me the opportunity to serve as senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation Endowed athletic director for the past 18 years,” Smith said. “The presidents and many members of the Board of Trustees I have served afforded me the professional opportunity of a lifetime, and I am forever grateful.”

Smith, a Cleveland native who played college football at Notre Dame, became Ohio State’s eighth athletic director in April 2005. He had previously been athletic director at Arizona State, Eastern Michigan and Iowa State.

“I have always believed that a leader seeks to be the right person at the right time in the life of the institution,” Smith said. “I believe that July 2024 is the right time to welcome new leadership to build upon what we have achieved and continue to build upon the great tradition of excellence in athletics and business advancement at Ohio State.”

Ohio State teams won 115 team Big Ten titles under Smith.