After serving as the director of sports information for Ohio State football for 15 seasons, Jerry Emig will retire in March.
After fifteen seasons of dedicated service as the director of sports information for Ohio State football, Jerry Emig will retire in March, closing out a distinguished career that has left an enduring mark on one of the most iconic programs in college sports. His retirement marks the end of an era for Ohio State athletics, where his steady leadership, professionalism, and tireless work behind the scenes helped shape the Buckeyes’ public image through years of triumph, adversity, and change.
Jerry Emig’s journey at Ohio State began in 2009, when he took on the challenging and vital role of directing the program’s media relations and public information efforts. The job was immense in scope — tasked with managing communications for a football team that is not just a sports program, but a cultural institution followed passionately by millions. From the first day, Emig approached the responsibility with humility, precision, and a deep respect for the traditions and values that define Buckeye football.
Throughout his tenure, Emig became synonymous with reliability and professionalism. He was the bridge between the team and the media, between the program and its loyal fanbase, and between the university and the broader college football world. His days were often long and unpredictable, filled with balancing requests from national media outlets, supporting coaches and players in handling interviews, overseeing game-day operations for the press, and managing crisis communications when challenges arose. In all these areas, Emig’s calm, thoughtful approach ensured that Ohio State football remained respected and well-represented on the national stage.
What set Emig apart was not just his command of the technical demands of his position — crafting press releases, producing media guides, arranging interviews — but his human touch. He was widely regarded as a trusted advisor and confidant to those he worked with. Journalists respected him for his fairness and promptness. Coaches and athletes valued his counsel, knowing he always sought to protect the best interests of the individuals and the program as a whole. His ability to build genuine relationships, founded on integrity and mutual respect, became a hallmark of his leadership.
Over the course of fifteen seasons, Emig was at the heart of countless defining moments in Ohio State football history. He played a pivotal role in managing communications during the Buckeyes’ 2014 national championship run under Urban Meyer, a season that ended with Ohio State claiming the first-ever College Football Playoff title. That magical campaign brought unprecedented attention to the program, and Emig’s work ensured that the Buckeyes’ story was told with clarity, consistency, and class. Whether handling the logistics of a packed media day before a playoff game or ensuring that post-game interviews reflected the pride and spirit of the university, Emig was always a steady hand in the middle of the action.
Emig’s career was also marked by his role in guiding Ohio State through transitions and difficult periods. From coaching changes to navigating the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was at the forefront of managing sensitive situations with discretion and grace. He understood that, in moments of both celebration and challenge, the way a program communicates shapes its public perception and long-term legacy. In this regard, Emig’s stewardship helped maintain Ohio State’s reputation as a model of professionalism in college athletics.
Beyond the day-to-day duties of his job, Emig was also a mentor and teacher. He played an instrumental role in shaping the careers of numerous young professionals who worked in Ohio State’s athletic communications office. Former interns and assistants frequently speak of how much they learned from Emig — not just about the mechanics of sports information work, but about the importance of ethical conduct, attention to detail, and treating colleagues and media members with respect. Many who got their start under his guidance have gone on to lead communications efforts at other universities and professional sports organizations, carrying with them the lessons and values Emig instilled.
The landscape of sports communications evolved dramatically during Emig’s tenure, with the rise of social media, digital content creation, and the 24/7 news cycle reshaping how programs engage with fans and media. Emig met these challenges head-on, embracing new technologies and strategies while remaining grounded in the core principles of clear, accurate, and responsible communication. Under his leadership, Ohio State football not only kept pace with the changing media environment but often set the standard for how a major program should communicate in the modern age.
Emig’s contributions extended well beyond the walls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. His work touched the lives of countless individuals — from the national reporters covering the Buckeyes week in and week out, to the fans who followed the team’s journey through the press releases, interviews, and social media posts shaped by his team. He understood that Ohio State football belongs to the people who cheer for it, and he took seriously his role in helping to tell its story in a way that honored that connection.
As news of his retirement spread, tributes poured in from across the college sports world. Reporters, coaches, former players, and colleagues all shared stories that spoke to Emig’s professionalism, kindness, and dedication. Many noted that in an industry known for its high-pressure environment and fast pace, Emig stood out for his calm demeanor and thoughtful approach. He was the kind of leader who inspired confidence simply by being steady and prepared, no matter the circumstance.
Urban Meyer, Ryan Day, and other coaches who worked closely with Emig have expressed deep appreciation for his contributions. They recognized that his work behind the scenes was essential to their own success, allowing them to focus on coaching while trusting that the public face of the program was in capable hands. Emig’s ability to anticipate needs, manage crises, and celebrate successes without seeking the spotlight earned him lasting respect from the leaders of Ohio State football.
Looking ahead, Ohio State faces the challenge of finding a successor who can build on the strong foundation Emig leaves behind. The role of sports information director at a program of Ohio State’s stature requires not just technical expertise, but the same blend of judgment, empathy, and integrity that defined Emig’s career. It is a tall order, but thanks to his example, there is a clear model for what excellence in this position looks like.
For Emig, retirement offers the chance to reflect on a career well spent and to enjoy the next chapter of life. Though he may step away from the daily demands of Ohio State football, the relationships he built and the impact he made will endure. His legacy will be felt every time a young athlete meets the media for the first time, every time a game day unfolds smoothly because of careful planning, and every time the story of the Buckeyes is told with the professionalism and care that he championed.
Those who worked with Jerry Emig, whether for a season or over many years, know how much he gave to Ohio State football. His service was marked not by fanfare, but by a deep commitment to doing the job the right way, every day. That commitment helped shape not only the program’s communications but its broader culture of excellence. It ensured that through victories and challenges alike, the values at the heart of Ohio State football shone through.
In the years ahead, there will be many moments when Ohio State fans will look back on these fifteen seasons with pride — remembering not just the wins and championships, but the way the program carried itself. And in those reflections, Jerry Emig’s contributions will hold a special place. His work helped tell the story of Ohio State football to the world, and in doing so, he became part of that story himself — a quiet force behind the scenes who helped the Buckeyes shine. As he prepares for retirement, the entire Ohio State community can offer him nothing but heartfelt thanks and best wishes for the future, grateful for all that he has done to serve the program with distinction.
