Gene Smith will receive a four-year contract extension that will keep him at the university through at least the 2025-26 academic year. The agreement, which was signed by Smith and Ohio State president Kristina M. Johnson in March, is still subject to approval by the university board of trustees at its meeting this week. The 65-year-old Smith – who had one year remaining on an extension signed in 2019 that paid him $1.47 million this year – will now earn a base salary of $1.58 million per year, as well as compensation for public relations, media and promotional appearances totaling $480,000. He will be eligible for pay increases in September.