Ohio State names new AD

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 5 (UPI) -- Gene Smith was named Saturday as the new athletics director at Ohio State.

Smith succeeds Andy Geiger, who retired in January after 11 years at the position.

Smith has been involved in Division I athletics for 19 years, the last five as the athletic director at Arizona State University.

He has worked at Iowa State (1993-2000) and Eastern Michigan (1986-93), and was an assistant coach for Notre Dame from 1977-81.

Smith will receive a base pay of $450,000 annually for seven years and will also get a maximum $125,000 per year in bonuses for meeting athletic and academic performance goals.

The university also will contribute $50,000 a year to a deferred compensation fund that Smith will get if he stays at Ohio State for all seven years of his agreement.