Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. officially arrived on campus Monday to begin his tenure as Ohio State’s president.
In his first media availability on campus, Carter delved into multiple topics regarding Ohio State athletics. Following three straight losses to Michigan, Carter was asked his opinion on Ryan Day's job security and gave Ohio State’s football coach a stamp of confidence.
"I have a great respect for the biggest rivalries that exist in the country," Carter told reporters Monday. "As somebody that ran the Naval Academy, the Army vs. Navy game is as big a rivalry, only second to the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry. I think Ryan Day would also say that our goals are to win the Big Ten and win the national championship every year. We didn't meet that. But Ryan Day runs a fantastic program. He’s our coach, I’m proud that he’s our coach and he will continue to be our coach.”
With longtime OSU athletic director Gene Smith set to retire in June, Carter is also tasked with hiring his replacement. He said the search for the Buckeyes’ new athletic director is “well underway.”
“Acting president Peter Mohler did a great job of putting a search advisory team together,” Carter said. “We are going to be getting into more details and you'll hear more about it soon.”
“Ryan Day runs a fantastic program. He’s our coach, I’m proud that he’s our coach and he will continue to be our coach.”– Ted Carter on Ryan Day
A source told Eleven Warriors that Ohio State has begun to identify finalists for its new athletic director and that interviews are expected to take place on campus later this month.
Hours before Michigan competes for its first national championship since 1997, Carter was also asked if Jim Harbaugh should be fired following Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal, but he withheld his opinion on that question.
"I have no comment on that," Carter said.
