OT: OSU's New AD (Ross Bjork) gets Trashed by Forde, Wetzel, Dellinger (Podcast)

Submitted by MgofanNC on January 19th, 2024 at 8:06 AM

Relevant bit starts at 40:40 mark.

I don't always agree with these guys, but I do enjoy this podcast. They mostly think Bjork is a fraud and in over his head and find the hire by OSU somewhat surprising given his history. I was delightfully surprised at their candor.  

The one thing they don't discuss that I think is relevant here especially given OSU's recent spending spree is Bjork's experience with NIL (at TAMU) and getting money from boosters etc. to Football players, coaches, etc. I don't think their likely quite expensive roster and coaching moves and his role as the AD are unrelated. 

By all accounts, he seems to me like a perfect fit for Third Base and the boys down at OSU. Happy listening.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yahoo-sports-college-football-enquirer/id1423417914

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St Joe Blues

January 19th, 2024 at 8:22 AM ^

I didn't listen to the podcast but I did seek out some local aTm newspapers. They were ecstatic that OSU took this clown off their hands. Incompetent was one of the nicest things they called him, and the fans in the comments sections went downhill from there. There was even a theory tossed around that boosters from aTm agreed to fund some OSU NIL programs if OSU would hire him. It's crazy how bad they think he is.

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1VaBlue1

January 19th, 2024 at 8:46 AM ^

He hired Jimbo Fisher for $100M and flat out gave him $75M to walk away and never look back.  His NIL spending sprees have all blown up in aTm's face.  He quit their 'special, one of a kind' school for someone else with a prettier face (or so he thinks).

And you're surprised they dislike him?

Are you also surprised nobody here likes Dave Brandon?

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BlueAggie

January 19th, 2024 at 8:59 AM ^

Woodward (now at LSU) hired Jimbo, Bjork choose to extend his contract after A&M went 9-1 in 2020. So, if we're being fair, you could split that $75MM pretty evenly between Woodward and Bjork. There was also a significant outlay to buy out all the assistants. That's mostly on Bjork.

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UgLi Eric

January 19th, 2024 at 11:24 AM ^

I have this inking that OSU's equivalent of the board of regents, or trustees, or whatever have a very high opinion of themselves. 

"I know this guy flamed out and no one wanted him at his old place of employee, but we have plans and we can make this work."

"I know this man/woman is almost entirely a bad fit, we don't get along, can't agree on anything, but I can make him/her change and I should propose."

"We always beat Michigan, so they got lucky once, had 3 good plays the second time, and cheated the third time. So we only need more talent and we will always win." 

"I am going to write a screenplay because I have awesome ideas."

Tell me which of these stories don't sound like how you would expect from the histories of an OSU trustee?

 

 

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blueheron

January 19th, 2024 at 8:23 AM ^

"... Bjork's experience with NIL (at TAMU) and getting money from boosters ..."

Honest question: At this stage, how "secret" could that particular sauce be? Could Bjork really be a difference-maker for OSU's NIL?

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highlow

January 19th, 2024 at 8:50 AM ^

I think the argument is that Bjork is good at getting rich people to give lots of $$$ to NIL groups.  I don't think Ryan Day is a real grip-and-grin mixer who can make every Chevy dealer in the greater Columbus area feel like he's the most important man in the room.

FWIW I also understand the OSU boosters are a bit needy.  The stories you hear from Brian Schottenstein trying to run his own NIL collective, etc, maybe they wanted someone with experience in managing that kind of huge-ego booster, and Texas A&M/Ole Miss have some capital-p Psychos.

That said, weird hire because OSU probably has MBB and football hiring decisions to make in the next ~24 months, and nothing in Bjork's tenure suggests he'd do a good job at either.

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highlow

January 19th, 2024 at 10:26 AM ^

You have a source?  I've seen a few articles where players are saying they aren't all millionaires at A&M, but I find it difficult to believe that A&M wasn't spending big during the late Jimbo era when they were pulling #1 classes and bidding-war guys like Walter Nolen.  

I also would think that Bjork wouldn't be responsible for choosing who to pay and how much - his job is to get the money lines going and let the football people make the football decisions.  But I don't have a source for that, just my intuition.

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MaizeGVBlue

January 19th, 2024 at 11:13 AM ^

just from what has been said by Walter Nolen and Evan Stewart, but from what I've heard from my brother in law, who is A&M alum, is similar to other schools.  They promised a bunch of kids a bunch of money but it never really came to fruition.  Also, in fundraising events my bro in law has gone to, Bjork was pretty vocal about how much NIL money they've secured - so not sure if it's smoke and mirrors but he wasn't playing the poverty card that 3rd base was playing.

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Dunder

January 19th, 2024 at 8:33 AM ^

History suggests he'll get away with anything he wants to do given the organization and, let's face it, he could be a giant clown and still run circles around the incompetent conference commissioner. 

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Indy Pete - Go Blue

January 19th, 2024 at 8:41 AM ^

Pat Forde has such a haughty and judgmental tone. I have listened to this podcast intermittently for years, and that is the one thing that never changes about the podcast. Unfortunately, what he lacks in nuance and wisdom, he fills in with snap judgments and quick condemnation. He also has a big Michigan chip on his shoulder, but we are used to this from various sports outlets. 

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Amazinblu

January 19th, 2024 at 9:35 AM ^

I think there's one significant difference between Columbus and College Station - specifically, the alumni.   Though both schools have passionate fan bases - I do believe there's a larger number of alumni with "disposable income" associated with oil money at A&M than in / near Columbus.

So, while both alumni groups will do everything they can to field a winning / championship team - the availability of alumni who would fund an NIL program to a "major degree" seem to be more numerous at A&M.

This - arugably - would lead to a discussion of "What are the key elements of a winning / championship college football team?"   My perspective is that culture is essential to any organization's success.  Michigan's built that culture - the question is - can it be sustained / maintained with the challenges / questions / unknowns.   I certainly hope the spirit in Schembechler Hall and the Glick - continues to thrive.   My view of A&M is strictly mercenary in nature - Elko will have more talent in College Station than he had in Durham - and, it will be interesting to see what he can build there.   As for Columbus - they boast about their culture - though, they seem to be more individual in nature than competing effectively as a single unit / team.

So - the Buckeyes might pull in more dollars - and offer even more through NIL - but, what will that translate to on the field?

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Brodie

January 19th, 2024 at 9:46 AM ^

Bjork's resume as an AD is basically extending Jimbo Fisher's ludicrous contract at A&M and presiding over the Hugh Freeze debacle at Ole Miss. Truly a record of abject failure that's been rewarded with one of the plum jobs in the sport, iirc OSU ADs last something like 20 years on average 

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Bo Harbaugh

January 19th, 2024 at 10:13 AM ^

He's there to buy players more efficiently than the last guy.

OSU is not about culture or coaching, its mercenary - win at all costs.

Now that almost every type of payment is legal - in the NIL era - they need a guy to help them keep their competitive edge in the few areas still in the grey area.

He'll make sure OSU football remains as sleazy as SEC.

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