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Gene Smith Will Be "Very Much A Part" of Search for Ohio State's Next Basketball Coach, But Ross Bjork Will Champion the Effort

Gene Smith may be on his way out as Ohio State’s athletic director, but as he leaves he’ll be aiding incoming AD Ross Bjork in finding the Buckeyes’ next head basketball coach.

With Jake Diebler taking over as Ohio State’s interim head coach in the meantime, Smith will prepare for Bjork’s arrival and the start of the coaching hunt this March. It's then that he'll take more of a backseat.

“Obviously we still have the remainder of the season, which I’m gonna help Jake with and help navigate,” Smith said. “Then when Ross gets here, as he shares with me his plan for the search, I’ll be there to assist him and be very much a part of it.