( CNN ) -- Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee , who came under fire after controversial remarks about other colleges , has announced plans to retire , school representative Gayle Saunders said Tuesday afternoon . Gee said he recently returned from a family vacation that included time for self-reflection . `` And after much deliberation , I have decided it is now time for me to turn over the reins of leadership to allow the seeds that we have planted to grow . It is also time for me to re-energize and refocus myself , '' he said in a written statement . According to the Columbus Dispatch newspaper , Gee apologized last week to top officials at schools in the Big Ten Conference and others . Gee reportedly made disparaging remarks during a December meeting with the Ohio State Athletics Council . Gee referred to `` those damn Catholics '' at Notre Dame and joked that Louisville did n't have the academic integrity to join the Big Ten . He also cast aspersion on some schools in the Southeastern Conference , the paper reported . CNN affiliate WBNS reported that in March the university 's board of trustees sent Gee a letter that outlined corrective steps in the wake of the remarks and that he could be fired if there were any more gaffes . On Tuesday , the chairman of the school 's board of trustees said Gee has transformed the school . `` His service to Ohio State has been superb . This man has been an inspiration to many people , including me , and we all are forever grateful for his friendship . His thoughtful and unique leadership style has taken the University to new levels , '' said Robert H. Schottenstein . Gee has twice led the university , which has 63,000 students -- from 1990 to 1997 , and from 2007 until now . His retirement takes effect July 1 . Joseph A. Alutto , an executive vice president , will take over as interim president .
NEW : CNN affiliate says Gee was told in advance to be careful with his remarks . E. Gordon Gee says he has planted seeds that will grow . He made controversial remarks about other schools , Catholics . His retirement takes effect July 1 , the following year .