Texas reportedly to interview West Virginia, Arizona State ADs, but not Ohio State’s

Update: Ohio State’s Gene Smith denies the report, via Twitter.

I’m staying at Ohio State. I have the greatest respect for the University of Texas and one of my mentors, DeLoss Dodds. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to be the athletics director at The Ohio State University. Reports of me interviewing at the University of Texas are inaccurate. Thank you and Go Bucks!

Original: Texas is set to interview the athletic directors from Ohio State, Arizona State and West Virginia, according to a report from Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman. WVU’s Oliver Luck is considered to be the frontrunner for the job at this point, though no job offers have been made yet, according to a Texas spokesman.

The Buckeyes’ Gene Smith has decades of experience running athletic departments, and he’s held the position at multiple FBS schools. He came to Ohio State in 2005, and he works at a school with a massive budget, much like Texas, which is a factor that may work in his favor.

ASU’s Steve Patterson is relatively new to the position. He became the Sun Devils’ AD just last year and had no prior experience in that area. He does have extensive experience managing sports franchises -- he was an executive in the NFL and NBA.

Texas’ search firm also vetted UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham but the school chose not to pursue him, according to Bohls.

A “firm recommendation” for the next Texas AD could come as early as Nov. 13, which is when the school’s Board of Regents has a scheduled meeting.

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