Eric Boggs
As the Ohio State Buckeyes navigate a season full of highs and lows, new Athletic Director Ross Bjork is at the forefront of guiding the program through these moments. In a recent appearance on The Buckeye Show, Bjork took a deep dive into football, basketball, and the overall direction of Ohio State athletics, offering insights on fan expectations and the exciting game day experiences awaiting Buckeye Nation.
With emotions still raw from a recent one-point loss to Oregon, Bjork addressed the frustration while urging fans and the team to stay grounded. “Never too high, never too low,” Bjork shared. “My job is to keep things in perspective. We lost by one point to the number three team in a hostile environment. We were right there. We’re still in the hunt for the Big Ten Championship, and the 12-team playoff gives us more runway to achieve our goals.”
Bjork emphasized the importance of maintaining a calm, measured approach throughout the season. “You can’t overreact to every moment, especially in today’s world with social media,” he explained. “It’s about staying focused and positive.” His message to fans was clear—there’s a lot of football left to be played, and the Buckeyes remain contenders for their ultimate goals.
In addition to football, Bjork has been working behind the scenes with every head coach at Ohio State, learning about each program’s challenges and strategies for success. His leadership extends beyond the football field, as he recently oversaw a coaching change in the men’s basketball program. Bjork’s commitment to building a culture of success at Ohio State has resonated with the staff, and fans are eager to see the results in all sports.
Bjork also discussed his close relationship with head coach Ryan Day. “Coach Day and I are arm-in-arm in this,” Bjork said. “We talk regularly about what needs to be done to fix any issues. It’s a collaborative effort, and we’re always working to improve.”
Shifting gears to game day experiences, Bjork shared insights into how Ohio State plans to make Ohio Stadium an even more intimidating environment for visiting teams. The energy at recent games has been electric, with fans comparing it to the legendary 2016 clash against Michigan. Bjork is looking for ways to amplify that intensity, ensuring that Ohio Stadium becomes a true fortress.
“The whole goal is to make it a home-field advantage,” Bjork explained. “You want teams to dread playing here.” He pointed to ideas like enhancing fan participation and possibly introducing structured activities similar to those seen at Texas A&M, where Bjork previously served. “We want to blend technology, new traditions, and the crowd’s passion to create a more intimidating environment.”
Bjork has already met with Block O student leadership and the Ohio State band to ensure that the Buckeyes’ iconic traditions remain at the heart of the experience while finding ways to introduce fresh and exciting elements. He even joked about bringing live animals onto the field to psych out the opposition, though that idea might stay in the realm of humor.
One area Bjork believes Ohio State could improve is in creating a more synchronized fan atmosphere. He pointed to Oregon as an example, where the crowd’s participation is expertly timed to key moments in the game, making the environment more daunting for opponents. “We could do something similar, like have more uniform fan activity at specific points during the game,” Bjork said.
As the 2024-2025 season unfolds, Ohio State fans can look forward to an unforgettable experience at the Shoe. With Bjork’s leadership, the combination of tradition, innovation, and fan involvement promises to make every game an event to remember.
“We signed up for these expectations. This is Ohio State,” Bjork said. “My job is to be the number one cheerleader of this program, because if I don’t believe, then who will?”
With basketball season on the horizon and football still in full swing, Buckeye Nation has plenty to be excited about as Ross Bjork leads the charge into a bright future.
