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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Vince DiSabato added to this discussion on June 2, 2008
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With the recent departure of Kevin Smith as AD at Notre Dame to Duke, I was wondering what the forum feels about Gene Smith and the eventual offer that he will recieve from his alma mater to return as AD and how that may effect the wrestling Buckeyes.
Points to consider:
1. Notre Dame has only had 11 AD's ever and 9 were Notre Dame alums.
2. Of the 12 people that Notre Dame may consider as AD's who have AD experience and who have also been alums to Notre Dame, Gene Smith's credentials far outshine the other 11.
3. Notre Dame is presently in a funk, football wise, but is a unique opportunity with storied alums and funding.
4. Notre Dame has long since dropped its wrestling program, even though it was fully funded by a trust while Lou Holtz was the football coach and later brought NCAA probations to that program as well as the University.
5. Gene Smith is the most prominant alumni AD, representing 3 different BCS universities (tOSU, Arizona State and Iowa State) as well as being a leading member of the 1973 National Championship team.
Mr. Smith is going to be approached and I personally would not begrudge him from moving to Notre Dame. But how does the forum feel how this may affect tOSU and the wrestling program?
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Bob Preusse added to this discussion on June 2, 2008
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interesting thought, Gene Smith to ND ??
would be tough for him to leave Ohio St U, even for his alma mater Notre Dame i think. Ohio st has the largest athetic budget in the nation AND it supports THE MOST NCAA Div I sports, 35 or 36.
Thats prestige
.
but if he were to leave it could have a less than positive effect since i understand he loves and appreciates wrestling, being from Chanel hs in Bedford outside Cleveland---- coincidently NCAA champ J Jaggers alma mater too.
Gene Smith would be hard to replace. From all appearance he is a great AD.
Would Notre Dame promise to add an NCAA Div I WRESTLING program to induce Smith to come ??? interesting stuff.
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on June 2, 2008
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Fodder?
I just heard about this today. I would agree that you cannot hold it against the man for returning to his alma mater. As a matter of fact, I think, at least in this case, you'd almost have to wonder why he wouldn't return. But then again it is tOSU!!! <wink>
As for a new AD...wow! After what occured (or occurred) out in AZ it makes you wonder. You can only hope that the Mr. Smith would convey what Tom Ryan is doing. Also, you hope the incoming AD will listen.
A point of note! IF a new AD is named, and he/she comes in for the 08-09 season, I think it imperitive that we show up in droves to dual meets! Set new records for each and every dual. But hey, that's just the fan in me.
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Norm Young added to this discussion on June 2, 2008
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I hear that Smith and his wife (who also is on the OSU payroll) make 4x what White made at ND. Will ND go that high? Will Smith leave the biggest athletics department in the country?
Smith has done a solid job at OSU following the best AD (Geiger) in OSU history. The two best things Smith has done at OSU are getting the NCAA investigation over with at little cost to OSU and hiring Tom Ryan.
The facilities at OSU are the best in the midwest bar none and maybe best in the country. Would he leave that?
The program at OSU is on cruise control right now. There aren't any major problems at the moment. The next coach to be hired is Men's Golf as Jim Brown announced his retirement today at the end of next season. If Smith leaves there will be a ton of AD's around the country applying for the job.
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on June 3, 2008
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UND remains a former football powerhouse desperate to recapture it's glory days. They have seemingly ten former coaches on their payroll because they keep firing them as fast as they hire them. Charlie Weisz appears to have been heavily involved in the cheating that went on at New England via illegal videotape. I hope Smith shows the brains to stay away.
From a wrestling perspective, his presence at Ohio State has been of enormous benefit. Losing him could hurt a great deal if the wrong replacement were found.
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Rex Holman added to this discussion on June 3, 2008
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Good topic. My mind started thinking about this with the article in this past Sunday's Dispatch. I think tOSU would be hard pressed to find an AD that would support wrestling as much as Gene Smith. The coaching staff asks and receives support from the administration. Gene Smith's departure would negatively impact the momentum of the wrestling program a couple years down the road.
I think there are a lot of ADs who are nearsighted and are a product of the times. Chances are that one of these types would end up at OSU, but maybe not.
I think Notre Dame is a train wreck. It can get a little worse there but not much. I think some of their mystique is worn and won't return. How many people have been to South Bend? It is not Columbus, Florida, California or Arizona. I am hoping that Gene has the sensibilities of a dare I say Les Miles and falls in love with a place rather than trying to make something full circle for the sake of nostalgia.
With that I say, tOSU needs tGene Smith until I am otherwise proven wrong.
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Dan Ransick added to this discussion on June 3, 2008
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Gene Smith is an asset that could not be replaced by Ohio State very easily. The Ohio State is flourishing in almost every sport as you look as they are tops in the Big 10 year in and year out.
I would love to see Gene Smith stay and ND would have a hard time matching his pay here.
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Scott Shaw added to this discussion on June 3, 2008
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Gene Smith makes between $575,000 to $650,000 a year at tOSU, depending on perks received that year. That is one of the top 10 paying AD jobs, but nowhere near the $1.2 million that Jeremy Foley is paid at the University of Florida, so let's not start saying that Smith makes so much money that he won't leave. The pockets at ND are deep and if it took $700,000 to lure Smith, they would pay it if they felt he was the man for the job.
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Rex Holman added to this discussion on June 3, 2008
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Everyone has a price.
Price can be equated into dollar amount.
Everyone has a dollar amount.
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Norm Young added to this discussion on June 3, 2008
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Smith is staying:
Gene Smith to Remain at Ohio State
Buckeyes’ director of athletics will not pursue position at Notre Dame
Gene Smith, Ohio State director of athletics, announced Tuesday he is not a candidate for the athletics director position at Notre Dame and will remain at Ohio State.
“I have the utmost respect for Notre Dame and great admiration for the university and its athletics department, but I will not be a candidate for the job there,” Smith said. “I am very happy being at The Ohio State University and am excited about its new leadership of the university. I am thrilled with the direction we are going in the department and am pleased and thankful for the support of President Gee and the administration.”
Smith took over the Ohio State post in March 2005 and has led the completely self-funded program that is one of the largest and most successful in college athletics. With an annual budget of nearly $110 million, the Buckeyes have 36 fully-funded varsity sports and more than 900 student-athletes.
“I have not been contacted by Notre Dame,” Smith said. “I am honored that many consider me to be a candidate, but I have no desire to leave Ohio State.”
Smith is a 1977 Notre Dame graduate, where he played football and was a member of the 1973 national championship team. He then served as an assistant football coach at Notre Dame until 1981, helping the Irish to another national title in 1977.
Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee welcomed the news.
“Ohio State not only has the nation’s most comprehensive athletics program, but also one that is thoroughly integrated into the larger academic life of the University,” Gee said, noting that Smith was recently named an assistant vice president of the university. “Gene Smith is a key factor in our students’ successes both on the playing field and in the classroom, and I am delighted with his commitment to remain here at Ohio State.”
“Gene Smith is the finest athletics director in America and we are so happy that he will remain at Ohio State,” Jim Tressel, Ohio State head football coach, said Tuesday. “He cares about every student-athlete, every coach and staff member, and the entire Buckeye Nation. This is a great day for all of us.”
“A large part of the success of each of our 36 sports can be attributed to the leadership of Gene Smith,” Thad Matta, Ohio State men’s basketball coach, said. “We here in the men’s basketball program are thankful for the support Gene has given us and are we are extremely pleased he will be staying at Ohio State.”
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Bob Preusse added to this discussion on June 3, 2008
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Rex, i am surprised you would say this:
"Everyone has a price.
Price can be equated into dollar amount.
Everyone has a dollar amount.'
ha, ha,
as many times as i have been called cynical
by various people, even i would not say that. Yes, money is very important, and one of the roots of all evil ---- yes i know most all violent crimes are committed for either money, jealousy, revenge or hatred--- and yes many people can be bought--- but i don't believe what you said applies to everyone.
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Rex Holman added to this discussion on June 3, 2008
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Meant in the context of job and title.
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Vince DiSabato added to this discussion on June 4, 2008
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Did Gene say that ND has not contacted him. They will. Will the money be the final factor? Not sure. Is Gene Smith the best candidate for Notre Dame and their history...yes!
Kevin Smith was one of the lowest paid AD's in the nation. Kevin Smith was against firing Tyrone Wllingham and hiring the ego, Charlie Wiess. Anyone remeber when Wiess was asked a few years back about coaching against Tress and the ego said "see this ring, it is worth 5 of his national titles".
Rex you are correct, that place is a quagmire with too many "ghosts" to appease. Gene is a smart man and hopefully his wit wil win out over the love of his alma mater.
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on June 4, 2008
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Vince: Gene Smith has already indicated he is not leaving Ohio State. Incidentally, when the UND AD leaves for Duke, you know it's a crappy job. Durham a much kinder, gentler place to be an AD (except when the lacrosse program is being falsely accused of rape).
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Discussion Topic: Point for fodder... Gene Smith and Notre Dame
Bob Preusse added to this discussion on June 4, 2008
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"Anyone remeber when Wiess was asked a few years back about coaching against Tress and the ego said "see this ring, it is worth 5 of his national titles". "
--------------------------------
if Weiss said that woe be to him-- after all NE won & got to Super Bowls AFTER Weiss left, so he was Not
the
reason they won, apparently. Weiss
could be
another in the long list of Pro coaches who have failed at the college level. We will see, ND stuck with him now, gave him a huge long term contract extension.
Notre Dame is a wonderful school, but their high academics seriously handicap their football & basketball recruiting.
As a freshman at Notre Dame u must take PHYSICS,
last i heard. That alone eliminates most top recruits.
no reason ND shouldnt have a Div I wrestling program, though-- the school is awash in football $$$$ from their TV network deal.
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