Ross Bjork Discusses Ohio State’s Championship Season, Program Vision, and Sustaining Excellence Amid College Football’s Changing Landscape
Ohio State’s 2024 national championship season was more than just a return to glory — it was a statement of enduring dominance in a sport increasingly defined by rapid change. From the moment confetti fell in Houston and the Buckeyes hoisted the trophy, attention quickly turned to what’s next. For newly appointed athletic director Ross Bjork, that question isn’t just about repeating success — it’s about elevating the entire program and preparing it for the challenges of a new era. In an exclusive conversation with The Dispatch, Bjork offered insight into the state of the program, his vision for the future, and how Ohio State plans to remain at the forefront of college football.
Bjork, who officially began his tenure at Ohio State in 2024 after previously serving at Texas A&M, stepped into his role during one of the most high-stakes transitions in program history. The Buckeyes were fresh off back-to-back seasons of playoff disappointment and had been overtaken by Michigan in the rivalry. But everything changed last fall. Ohio State, under head coach Ryan Day, returned to its physical identity, played suffocating defense, and executed in the biggest moments — all culminating in the program’s first national title since 2014. For Bjork, arriving in Columbus just as the tide turned felt like destiny.
“When I stepped into this job, the expectations were already sky high — but that’s what makes Ohio State different,” Bjork said. “This isn’t a rebuild. This is a standard. Winning a national championship only reinforces the culture that’s already here.”
Bjork praised the synergy between the athletic department and the football program under Day’s leadership. One of his early priorities was ensuring that Day had the resources and autonomy to run the program at an elite level — and that meant investing not only in coaching staff and facilities, but also in analytics, mental performance, NIL infrastructure, and recruiting innovation.
“What impressed me immediately was how unified the mission was here,” Bjork explained. “Coach Day, the players, the support staff — everyone knew what the standard was and worked toward it daily. Our job in administration is to keep that momentum going.”
The 2024 national title, secured with a dramatic 27-24 win over Texas in the championship game, capped off a season where the Buckeyes leaned heavily on a stifling defense and a well-balanced offense. Day, who had been under increasing scrutiny after three consecutive losses to Michigan and no playoff wins since 2020, delivered his most complete coaching performance yet. The championship silenced critics and re-established Ohio State as the preeminent force in the Big Ten and beyond.
Now, Bjork faces the challenge of helping the program sustain success in the most volatile era of college athletics. Between transfer portal chaos, conference realignment, playoff expansion, and NIL dynamics, every decision carries long-term implications. For Bjork, the answer lies in preparation, innovation, and embracing change rather than fearing it.
“We can’t just say, ‘We’re Ohio State, we’ll be fine,’” he said. “That kind of thinking is dangerous. We have to be aggressive in how we manage change. Whether it’s how we recruit, how we manage rosters, or how we build brand identity through NIL — we’re leaning in.”
Bjork’s background at Texas A&M, where NIL collectives played a significant role in reshaping recruiting, helped him bring valuable perspective to Columbus. At Ohio State, he’s taken a more centralized approach to NIL, working closely with The Foundation and other key collectives to ensure players are supported, educated, and empowered.
“It’s about balance. We want to give our athletes every opportunity available to them, but we also want to maintain the values that make this place special,” Bjork said. “We’re not going to get into bidding wars, but we are going to lead in transparency, structure, and sustainability.”
He also emphasized that NIL is not just a football issue. Ohio State’s vision is to become a leader across all sports, and that includes building NIL pipelines that benefit Olympic sports, women’s athletics, and non-revenue programs.
“Our brand is bigger than one sport,” he said. “Football is the engine — we all know that. But the entire athletic department rises when football wins. That’s how we build comprehensive excellence.”
The national title win has already paid dividends in recruiting. The Buckeyes’ 2025 class is ranked No. 1 nationally, and the 2026 cycle is trending in a similar direction. According to Bjork, part of that success comes from the “authenticity” recruits and their families feel when they visit Ohio State.
“You walk into the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, and you feel it,” he said. “You see the banners, the rings, the people. It’s not a pitch. It’s a reality.”
Bjork also addressed the ongoing transformation of the Big Ten, which in 2025 welcomes USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington. The expanded conference creates new scheduling challenges and travel logistics, but also new revenue and visibility opportunities. Ohio State’s brand, already a national powerhouse, stands to benefit even more.
“We’ve been playing on national stages for years, so this just extends that reach,” Bjork noted. “We’re going to play in L.A., Seattle, and everywhere in between. Buckeye Nation is everywhere, and now we get to show up in even more markets.”
With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams this season, Bjork acknowledged that the path to a national title will look different — but not necessarily easier. While Ohio State will almost certainly be in the mix annually, the new format places a premium on depth, durability, and late-season momentum.
“Making the playoff can’t be the goal — winning it has to be,” he said. “The expanded field means more opportunity, but also more competition. You have to be peaking at the right time, managing health, and playing your best football in December and January.”
Bjork also hinted at future facility upgrades and investments in player wellness. Though Ohio State’s current facilities rank among the nation’s best, he believes innovation is continuous. Areas under review include enhanced recovery centers, nutrition integration, sleep science, and performance tracking — all designed to give Buckeye athletes the best possible edge.
“We’ve got great bones,” Bjork said, “but we’re not going to rest on past investments. What’s elite today might be average two years from now.”
Amid all the planning, infrastructure, and strategy, Bjork remains deeply connected to the human side of the job. He regularly meets with student-athletes, attends practices, and makes an effort to understand the day-to-day experience of being a Buckeye.
“What I’ve learned is that Ohio State isn’t just about wins and titles. It’s about pride, connection, and legacy,” he said. “That’s why this job matters so much. We’re caretakers of something incredibly meaningful.”
As the Buckeyes prepare to defend their national title in 2025, expectations couldn’t be higher. With the roster reloaded, recruiting surging, and leadership firmly in place, the program seems primed to remain at the pinnacle of college football. Bjork isn’t shying away from that pressure — he’s embracing it.
“We want to be the best, and we’re not afraid to say it,” he said. “The minute we get comfortable is the minute someone else passes us. That’s not happening here.”
For Ohio State fans, Bjork’s words are more than reassuring — they’re galvanizing. In an era where tradition and transformation often collide, the Buckeyes appear to have found the rare combination of both. And with a national championship already under his belt, Bjork’s next chapter in Columbus is already off to a championship-caliber start.
