Gene Smith: ‘I’m staying at Ohio State’

The Austin-American Statesman reported Thursday that Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith would interview for the same position at Texas -- although Smith swiftly shot down the report.

Smith, along with Arizona State AD Steve Patterson, was reported to be on Texas’ shortlist of candidates for the position DeLoss Dodds will vacate by August 2014. West Virginia AD Oliver Luck is reportedly Texas’ top target.

Smith released a statement via Twitter on Thursday to shoot down the report:

I’m staying at Ohio State. I have the greatest respect for the University of Texas and one of my mentors, DeLoss Dodds. More ...

— gene smith (@OSU_AD) October 31, 2013

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to be the athletics director at The Ohio State University. More ...

— gene smith (@OSU_AD) October 31, 2013

... Reports of me interviewing at the University of Texas are inaccurate. Thank you and Go Bucks!

— gene smith (@OSU_AD) October 31, 2013

As USA Today’s Dan Wolken pointed out, hiring Smith -- the AD during the whole Jim Tressel/tattoos fiasco -- would’ve been an odd move for Texas. But as things stand today, it’s not happening.