END OF AN ERA IN COLUMBUS: Jerry Emig Set to Retire in March After 15 Remarkable Seasons as the Respected and Influential Sports Information Director for Ohio State Football

Jerry Emig’s name may not appear on the stat sheets or highlight reels, but to those who know Ohio State football inside and out, he has been a cornerstone of the program’s public identity for the past decade and a half. As the sports information director for one of college football’s most storied and scrutinized programs, Emig has not only served as the liaison between the Buckeyes and the media but also as a steady, composed voice behind the scenes, guiding communications with clarity, professionalism, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Now, as news emerges that Emig will retire in March after 15 seasons in the role, there’s a palpable sense across the Ohio State community that an era is quietly but meaningfully coming to an end.

Since assuming the position in 2010, Emig has overseen the media operations of the Buckeyes during one of the most dynamic stretches in program history. He’s been there through three head coaches—Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer, and Ryan Day—and countless seasons filled with championship aspirations, postseason triumphs, and the inevitable media storms that come with leading one of the nation’s premier football institutions. Through it all, Emig has remained a trusted figure for journalists, a calming influence for coaches, and a guiding mentor for student-athletes navigating the spotlight for the first time. His retirement marks more than just the end of a job—it closes a chapter defined by grace under pressure, institutional loyalty, and a deep-rooted respect for the traditions of Ohio State football.

Emig’s professional journey began long before he ever set foot in Columbus. He cut his teeth in the world of sports information in the 1980s, working in various collegiate roles before eventually joining the Big Ten Conference office. It was there that Emig built a reputation as a knowledgeable, thoughtful, and level-headed communicator—a reputation that followed him to Ohio State when he accepted the job as football SID in 2010. From the moment he arrived, Emig was tasked with helping to steer the program through a particularly turbulent time, as NCAA investigations into the Jim Tressel era began to unfold. What could have been a nightmare scenario for a new SID instead became a proving ground, one that Emig navigated with discretion and poise.

Those who have worked alongside him often cite Emig’s uncanny ability to balance transparency with institutional protection. He knew when to give reporters access and when to shield players from overwhelming scrutiny. He understood the value of building relationships with the media while simultaneously upholding the program’s values and expectations. Reporters, many of whom work in a space often marked by confrontation or frustration with university communication teams, consistently praised Emig’s honesty, reliability, and even-keeled demeanor. In an era when public relations often felt like a battlefield, Emig preferred collaboration over confrontation.

As the Urban Meyer era kicked off in 2012, Emig’s role only grew in significance. Meyer’s arrival brought national championships, College Football Playoff runs, and a spotlight brighter than anything the program had seen in years. Managing media coverage in that environment required both strategic savvy and emotional intelligence, two qualities Emig possessed in abundance. He was integral to coordinating media availabilities, press conferences, player interviews, and the countless logistics that accompany a program under constant national scrutiny. Throughout it all, Emig remained composed, respectful, and focused on the big picture. He understood that every press release, every interview setting, and every camera angle contributed to how the Ohio State brand was perceived, and he took that responsibility seriously.

The arrival of Ryan Day as head coach in 2019 marked yet another chapter in the program’s evolution, and Emig once again proved indispensable. As a first-time head coach at one of the most high-profile jobs in sports, Day leaned heavily on Emig to help navigate the complex world of media responsibilities and public appearances. The COVID-19 pandemic, which struck just one season into Day’s tenure, further underscored Emig’s importance. As sports organizations across the world scrambled to adjust to virtual formats, testing protocols, and unpredictable schedules, Emig worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the media and public were kept informed, while players and coaches remained as protected and prepared as possible. His calm leadership during that chaotic period solidified his legacy as more than just a public relations figure—he was a crisis manager, a counselor, and a strategist.

But beyond the job descriptions and daily tasks, Emig’s true legacy lies in the way he treated people. Journalists regularly speak of his fairness and accessibility, even when the questions were tough or the headlines critical. Players often recall his guidance during their first media interactions, offering quiet tips and calm reassurances to help them handle the pressures of public attention. Staff members describe a colleague who never sought the spotlight, but whose influence was always felt in the way things were done—with professionalism, respect, and Ohio State pride.

In many ways, Jerry Emig became a behind-the-scenes symbol of everything Ohio State football aims to represent. He was consistent, principled, and built for the long haul. While others came and went—coaches, players, even athletic directors—Emig was the constant. His voice, often heard but rarely elevated, was the voice of the program’s conscience, always pointing toward what was right and best for the university. And in doing so, he helped shape not only the external image of Ohio State football but also the internal culture that has defined it through victories and controversies alike.

Retirement, of course, does not mean disappearance, and there’s little doubt Emig will continue to be a presence in Columbus, even if from a quieter perch. But his absence in the press box, on the sidelines, and in the interview rooms will be keenly felt by all who have come to rely on his steady leadership. The next person to fill his role will inherit a playbook crafted over years of experience, but they will also be stepping into shoes that are uniquely difficult to fill. Emig didn’t just do the job—he redefined it.

As tributes begin to pour in from around the college football world, there will be no shortage of praise for Emig’s professionalism, his wisdom, and his commitment to the craft. But perhaps the most telling recognition will come from the simple acknowledgments—the quiet thank-yous from reporters he helped, the nods of appreciation from coaches he supported, and the lasting respect of a fan base that may not have always known his name but felt the effects of his work every single game day.

Ohio State football will go on, as it always does, evolving and growing with each passing season. But Jerry Emig’s fingerprints will remain, woven into the fabric of how the program communicates, protects, and presents itself to the world. His 15-year tenure was not merely a job well done; it was a masterclass in leadership without ego, influence without noise, and dedication without demand for recognition.

For a man whose career has been spent helping others tell their stories, this moment of reflection is long overdue. Jerry Emig retires not just as a great sports information director, but as a steward of Ohio State football’s voice. And as he steps away in March, he does so with the admiration of a community grateful for the countless ways he shaped the narrative—not with bluster or bravado, but with a quiet authority that will be missed more than most will ever fully know.