Another example of marked improvement would be Buckeye Mens Lacrosse. For a team from the midwest (other than Notre Dame) to actually win a game in the NCAA Tournament is quite an accomplishment. With the already rich depth of talent in Central Ohio coming from schools like Upper Arlington, Worthington, and Dublin, coupled with the recent success of the program, it is only a matter of time until the program begins attracting top-tier players from the more traditional lacrosse hotbeds of Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Long Island.

I think if he sticks around long enough, and people buy in (which I think they are), he will lead OSU athletics beyond just being a “football school.” Although football will always be the meal ticket (with good reason, this is Ohio after all), when you have the funds that we do, there is no reason not to be elite in every sport. I think most fans understand that, and I KNOW Gene Smith does.

That said, I think losing Smith to Notre Dame (or anywhere else) would be a huge loss. He simply has “it,” and “it” is immediately obvious once you listen to him talk for five minutes.