For Jeff Kaplan ’76, success has always been rooted in relationships. Whether serving on the sidelines or in the boardroom, Kaplan has built his career around teamwork, integrity, and shared purpose. The lessons he learned as a law student, coach, and administrator continue to shape his leadership philosophy today. Kaplan earned a psychology degree from Yale University, where he was also a coach of the freshman football team. Wanting to continue coaching football, Kaplan interviewed for graduate assistantships at selective programs across the country.
When he came to Ohio State, Kaplan met with legendary coach Woody Hayes. Kaplan recalls talking about family, education, and life for most of the interview, then spending only the last 15 minutes talking about football.
“It was the only interview I had where conversations about non-athletic philosophy took up the majority of the time,” Kaplan recalls. “That really impressed me and showed the values and priorities of the program I’d be joining.” It was also the first time he saw Hayes’ famous philosophy, “You Win With People,” in action.
Hayes was most interested in what graduate field of study Kaplan might pursue, and Hayes displayed a clear affinity for law school, telling Kaplan, “If you apply to our college of law and are admitted, I’ll hire you.”
Kaplan held up his end of the deal, getting accepted into Ohio State Law, and joined Hayes’ staff as a graduate assistant.
The coaching schedule was demanding, but Kaplan deeply enjoyed his experience. He formed meaningful relationships, developed leadership skills, and had a front row seat to Archie Griffin’s back-to-back Heisman seasons.
To balance the demands of football and law school, Kaplan loaded up on summer courses. Despite the rigorous schedule, he excelled in moot court competitions and was able to remain deeply involved in campus life. He also organized an annual roast, good-naturedly teasing faculty and fellow students, and initiated the first co-ed intramural basketball team at the College. Throughout it all, Kaplan felt the support of the people around him, including Hayes, who proudly attended his graduation from law school.
After graduation, Kaplan stayed with the football team and athletic department, with responsibilities that included counseling athletes, academic success, and NCAA rule interpretation. He served in other administrative roles for the team before taking a role in admissions for Ohio State. The scope of his work eventually shifted and expanded to many areas of the university, including fundraising, advancement, student life, legal affairs, medical center management, public safety, administration and planning, and trademark and licensing.
Kaplan’s experiences included serving at seven different universities and he also held top administrative roles within several major healthcare systems. In each role, Kaplan says the most rewarding part has been being part of teams that get things done.
“I feel lucky to have worked with so many great people throughout my career,” he shared.
As the newly selected Chair of The Ohio State University Board of Trustees, Kaplan now gets to work alongside a team charting the university’s path forward. In many ways, the role is an extension of the values he first encountered during his interview with Hayes—listening carefully, bringing people together, bringing goals to fruition and putting the collective good in front of any one individual. He is excited to work with President Ravi Bellamkonda to continue showcasing Ohio State’s strengths. Kaplan is hopeful the university continues to dominate in research and attract more high-profile, gamechanger hires, such as the College of Law’s hiring of Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton ’90.
“Our focus on academic excellence helps students, the state, and its citizens,” he said.
Kaplan encourages Ohio State Law students to identify four or five key values and make them non-negotiable while being open to compromise otherwise. Having clear principles while being open-minded provides a solid foundation from which to work and grow as a leader and professional. He also emphasizes the importance of working hard, being honest, and showcasing humility.
“Be willing to admit there may be areas in which you’re not the strongest,” he advises. “Find people who can help and listen earnestly to them. You’ll accomplish so much more together than you could as an individual.”