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Thursday, October 24, 2024

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The Lantern sits down with Athletic Director Ross Bjork By Noah Weiskopf Sports Editor

n Oct. 16, Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork visited The Lantern’s newsroom and sat down one-onone with Sports Editor Noah Weiskopf. Bjork discussed his thoughts on the Oct. 12 Oregon game, head coach Ryan Day’s future at Ohio State, how he expects to balance recruitment and Name, Image and Likeness opportunities moving forward, expectations for the men’s basketball program, “Project 36” and more. Oregon game Bjork highlighted the high-intensity atmosphere at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, the exceptional fan experience and the fact there were two heavyweight teams going at it. Looking back, Bjork said he knew the Buckeyes had opportunities to win the game, but they just couldn’t capitalize on them. “I felt if we could ever get up two scores in that game, I thought we could’ve put them away,” Bjork said. ³,W ZDV D GRJ ¿JKW LW was back and forth.”

Despite Ohio State’s 32-31 emotional loss to then-No. 3 Oregon, Bjork said his focus immediately turned to supporting Day and the players. “Yeah, you’re upset that you lost the game,” Bjork said. “But I can’t act emotionally. I have to be supportive. I’ve got to be positive. I’ve got to uplift.” S t i l l , Bjork said he needed to look at the big picture after losing a topthree matchup on the road.

³7KHUH ZHUH SUREDEO\ GL̆HUent emotions going through my head in the last minute of that game,” Bjork said. “But it included a lot of perspective and leadership. Now, we have to lead. Now, we have to regroup. Now, ZH KDYH WR SLFN :LOO +RZDUG R̆ WKH ¿HOG DQG KHOS KLP JHW EDFN RQ WUDFN ´ Opinions on Day When asked about Day’s 2-6 record DV D KHDG FRDFK LQ WRS ¿YH PDWFKups and his overall status, Bjork said it’s completely valid to point out record-related facts. At the same time, Bjork said he’s more focused on ensuring Day has what he needs to be the most successful coach he can be moving forward. “My job is to ¿JXUH RXW ZLWK Coach Day, are there any barriers?” Bjork said. “What are you analyzing as we go through this? What are you looking at in terms of watchLQJ WKH ¿OP RU watching the schematics or watching the game plan? What led up to that par-

ticular game or that particular moment? My job is just to support him, help him through that, help him anDO\]H DQ\ GH¿FLHQFLHV WKDW PLJKW EH there, but we gotta remember, we lost to the No. 3 team on the road by one point and had the ball, had a chance to win.” Ever since stepping foot into the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, Bjork VDLG KH KDV EHHQ ÀRRUHG E\ 'D\¶V DSproach and leadership. “Coach Day is the most consistent football coach and leader that I’ve been around in my career,” Bjork said. “He has a level-headed perspective, he ZRUNV KLV WDLO R̆ KH¶V D VXSHU LQQRYDWRU LQ WHUPV RI WKH PRGHUQ GD\ JDPH we’ve adapted to this whole new model. So, you’ve got to look at the big picture and sit down and say, ‘OK, what do we QHHG WR GR WR ¿[ WKDW UHFRUG" :KDW GR we need to do to manage through this and support our players and get back on track?’”

BJORK continues on Page 7

Watch the full Lantern TV interview here

SANDRA FU | PHOTO EDITOR