Contract talks to start for coach Todd

By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch

Negotiations on a new contract for long-time Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd will begin within seven to 10 days, a spokesman for athletic director Gene Smith says.

Todd, who led the Buckeyes to the regular-season Big Ten championship and the championship game of an NCAA regional, is under a five-year contract that will expire at the end of the month.

"Gene Smith is out of town but plans to meet with coach Todd within seven to 10 days to begin talking about a new contract," said Dan Wallenberg, assistant athletic director for communications. "Coach Todd will be the coach next year. The only thing that needs to be worked out are the details."

Among the details, Wallenberg said, would be the length of the contract.

Todd is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He has won a team-record 873 games in 22 years at Ohio State and 997 games in his career.

The Buckeyes finished the 2009 season 42-19 and won their seventh regular-season championship under Todd. He has led the team to 13 NCAA tournaments and two regional championships.

Ohio State's season ended with a 37-6 loss to Florida State in the championship game of the NCAA regional in Tallahassee, Fla. It was the most runs allowed and the worst loss in the history of the tournament.

Few, however, expected the Buckeyes to compete for even a conference championship with only three seniors on the roster and a pitching staff that was weakened by injuries and defections.

Todd was voted Big Ten coach of the year.