Ross Bjork: Salary, Net Worth, Career, and Personal Life

Ross Bjork is one of the most influential and successful athletic directors in the United States. He is currently the athletic director for The Ohio State University, a position he assumed on July 1, 2024. Before that, he served as the athletic director for Texas A&M University and the University of Mississippi. In this article, we will explore his salary, net worth, career, and personal life in detail.

Salary

Ross Bjork’s annual salary as the athletic director for Texas A&M University was $1.15 million. This substantial figure reflects the significance of his role and the expectations associated with leading the university’s athletic programs. However, his salary at Ohio State has not been disclosed yet, but it is likely to be higher than his previous one, given the prestige and reputation of the institution.

Net Worth

Ross Bjork’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million. This is based on his salary, investments, assets, and other sources of income. He has been working in the field of athletics administration for over two decades, and has accumulated a considerable amount of wealth and experience. He is also involved in various philanthropic and charitable causes, such as supporting education, health, and sports.

Career

Ross Bjork was born on October 22, 1972, in Dodge City, Kansas, U.S. He graduated from Emporia State University in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree, and from Western Illinois University in 1996 with a master’s degree. He played football as a fullback for Emporia State from 1991 to 1994.

He began his career as a development officer at Western Kentucky University in 1996, and then moved to the University of Missouri in 1997, where he worked as an assistant athletic director for development until 2003. He then joined the University of Miami as an associate athletic director in 2003, and stayed there until 2005. He then became the senior associate athletic director at UCLA in 2005, and held that position until 2010.

In 2010, he was hired as the athletic director for Western Kentucky University, where he was the youngest athletic director among all 120 NCAA FBS schools at the time. He made significant improvements to the university’s athletic facilities, budget, and performance. He also hired Bobby Petrino as the head football coach in 2012, who led the team to a 7-5 record and a bowl appearance.

In 2012, he was appointed as the athletic director for the University of Mississippi, where he oversaw the growth and success of the university’s 18 varsity sports. He also increased the athletic department’s revenue, fundraising, and academic achievement. He also hired Hugh Freeze as the head football coach in 2012, who led the team to four consecutive bowl games and a No. 3 ranking in 2014.

In 2019, he was recruited as the athletic director for Texas A&M University, where he continued to demonstrate his leadership and vision. He gave former Aggies football coach Jimbo Fisher a fully guaranteed $95 million contract extension in 2021, after a 9-1 season in 2020. However, the contract quickly became one of the biggest albatrosses in college sports, as A&M went 8-4 in 2021, 5-7 in 2022, and 6-4 in 2023, before Fisher was fired with two games to go in the regular season. By firing Fisher just two seasons into his extension, the school owed him a buyout payment of over $75 million — the largest buyout ever owed to a college coach.

In 2024, he was named as the athletic director for The Ohio State University, where he will face new challenges and opportunities. He will take over for Gene Smith, who retired after serving as the athletic director since 2005. Smith was one of the most influential athletic directors in the country, and had a significant impact on the College Football Playoff, the NCAA Football Rules Committee, and the Men’s Division I Basketball Committee. Bjork will inherit a football program that has high expectations, but also some issues to address. Ohio State went 11-2 in 2023, but lost to Michigan for a third consecutive season and lost the Cotton Bowl. Bjork will have to work with coach Ryan Day to restore the Buckeyes’ dominance in the Big Ten and the national stage.

Personal Life

Ross Bjork is married to Sonya, and has two sons, Payton and Paxton. He is a devout Christian, and attends church regularly. He is also an avid golfer, and enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with his family. He is active on social media, and has over 50,000 followers on Twitter.

Conclusion

Ross Bjork is a remarkable and respected figure in the world of college sports. He has a proven track record of leading and transforming athletic programs, and has a wealth of knowledge and experience. He is also a generous and humble person, who cares about his community and his faith. He is now the athletic director for Ohio State, and will surely make a positive impact on the university and its fans.

10 Most Asked Questions and Answers

• Q: How old is Ross Bjork?
• A: Ross Bjork is 51 years old as of 2024.
• Q: Where did Ross Bjork go to college?
• A: Ross Bjork went to Emporia State University and Western Illinois University.
• Q: How much did Ross Bjork make at Texas A&M?
• A: Ross Bjork made $1.15 million per year at Texas A&M.
• Q: How much did Ross Bjork pay Jimbo Fisher?
• A: Ross Bjork gave Jimbo Fisher a $95 million contract extension in 2021.
• Q: How much did Ross Bjork owe Jimbo Fisher after firing him?
• A: Ross Bjork owed Jimbo Fisher over $75 million in buyout after firing him in 2023.
• Q: Who did Ross Bjork replace at Ohio State?
• A: Ross Bjork replaced Gene Smith at Ohio State.
• Q: Who is Ross Bjork’s wife?
• A: Ross Bjork’s wife is Sonya.
• Q: How many children does Ross Bjork have?
• A: Ross Bjork has two sons, Payton and Paxton.
• Q: What is Ross Bjork’s religion?
• A: Ross Bjork is a Christian.
• Q: What is Ross Bjork’s hobby?
• A: Ross Bjork likes to play golf.