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Ohio State President Gordon Gee to retire after comments on Louisville, Notre Dame and SEC

Barack Obama, E. Gordon Gee

Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee gestures as he speaks during the Ohio State University spring commencement as the president sits at right in the Ohio Stadium, Sunday, May 5, 2013, in Columbus, Ohio. President Obama is the third sitting president to give the commencement speech at Ohio State University. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

AP

Last week The Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee once again found himself in hot water after make comments regarding the University of Notre Dame, the Southeastern Conference and the University of Louisville.

On Tuesday afternoon, Gee announced he would retire, effective July 1.

This past Thursday, Rick Pitino appeared on WHAS Radio with Terry Meiners and offered his thoughts on the negative comments from the university president. Safe to say, the two-time national champion wasn’t pleased with what he heard from Gee.

“I have a major problem with [Gee], not with Ohio State,” Pitino told WHAS. “I have a major problem with him and he’s a pompous ass for making those statements.”

“I began my career at Ohio State in 1990, and I was honored to return as its leader six years ago,” President Gee said in a school statement. “I am proud to have played a critical role in the university’s transformation from excellence to eminence. I plan to work closely with the Trustees and Dr. Alutto to ensure the smoothest transition possible. I cannot express enough my deep appreciation to the people of Ohio for the opportunity they have given me to lead this great university. I love this university, and although I might be retiring from the presidency, my work with Ohio State will continue. No matter what the future may hold for me, Ohio is my home.”

Gee in December made statements to the university’s Athletic Council regarding Notre Dame and the academic integrity of Louisville and the SEC. This past week, the audio of that speech was publicized. Gee has since apologized for what he called his “misguided attempt at humor.”

Executive Vice President and Provost Joseph A. Alutto will serve as the interim president.

Terrence is also the lead writer at NEHoopNews.com and can be followed on Twitter: @terrence_payne