Nebraska Cornhuskers fans might feel as though they have a measure of bitter revenge with the news that Ted Carter has resigned from Ohio State due to an "inappropriate" relationship. Carter, who was once president for the Huskers, abruptly left Lincoln for Columbus in August of 2023. His exit from NU was a shock, even reportedly to those around the university.
Needless to say, his exit from OSU is even more shocking. Carter's resignation came out of seemingly nowhere after a three-hour meeting with the university trustees, where he informed them of an 'inappropriate relationship' with someone seeking resources, according to a local Columbus television station.
As Zach Barnett from FootballScoop pointed out, Carter leaving Ohio State likely won't hurt the Buckeyes all that much. They're in a good spot athletically and academically, and they'll have their choice of replacements. However, the former Nebraska leader has been a prominent voice in the larger college football world, and his departure could leave a mark there.
Ted Carter's Ohio State resignation is a stunning twist for the man who left Nebraska behind
It's not just that Carter was among the most tenured Big Ten presidents. Or that his departure comes amid the sport facing a major inflection point. College football's economics, governance, structure, and postseason format are all decided at the university presidential level, and everything is up for grabs.
Arguments over how many teams will be in the College Football Playoffs continue alongside talk that the NCAA could see another major restructuring into a more NFL-like alignment, with several conferences becoming smaller and playing each other more often.
As Barnett pointed out, "Ohio State is arguably the most successful, most-watched, and thus the most valuable brand in college football. Whoever the Ohio State president is will likely have a major say in what college football becomes in the coming years."
Now, the Buckeyes will need to have another voice leading them, running the risk of being more malleable depending on who they choose to replace the former Nebraska president. That's how Ted Carter's mistake could make a real impact on Ohio State and the rest of the sport.