Former Ohio State athletic director Jim Jones died Wednesday in Bonita Springs, Fla., the university announced. He was 83.
Jones spent 27 years working in Ohio State’s athletics administration, including the athletic-director stint from 1987-94.
He is one of just eight athletic directors in university history, dating back to 1912.
“Jim Jones had a significant and positive impact on my life,” Gene Smith, the Buckeyes’ athletic director since 2005, said in a statement. “I will miss him greatly. He had a commitment to diversity and made a tremendous contribution to the growth of Ohio State athletics.”
Jones was first employed by Ohio State in 1965 as a physical education instructor before moving into the athletic department in 1967 when legendary coach Woody Hayes hired him as an academic adviser on the football staff. He was promoted to an assistant AD role in 1970, and he be became an associate AD in 1977.
Jones was promoted to AD in November 1987 after Rick Bay resigned in protest after the university fired football coach Earle Bruce against Bay’s wishes.
Jones retired in February 1994.