Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel resigns, Luke Fickell will be interim coach in 2011
Jim Tressel, the coach of the Ohio State football program since 2001, resigned as the Buckeyes deal with multiple allegations in an ongoing NCAA investigation, The Columbus Dispatch reported today.
Ohio State confirmed the news less than an hour later.
"After meeting with University officials, we agreed that it is in the best interest of Ohio State that I resign as head football coach," Tressel said in a statement. "The appreciation that (my wife) Ellen and I have for the Buckeye Nation is immeasurable."
Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel.
AnnArbor.com file photo
Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee sent a memo to the Ohio State board of trustees regarding Tressel, and the Columbus Dispatch obtained a copy of it:
"I write to let you know that later this morning we will be announcing the resignation of Jim Tressel as head coach of the University's football program. As you all know, I appointed a special committee to analyze and provide advice to me regarding issues attendant to our football program. In consultation with the senior leadership of the University and the senior leadership of the Board, I have been actively reviewing the matter and have accepted Coach Tressel's resignation."
Tressel has been embroiled in scandal since December, when Yahoo! Sports broke a story that Ohio State players had been receiving discounted tattoos at a local parlor. Tressel, at the time, said he knew nothing about it.
The next month, it was revealed Tressel knew all about the investigation and had lied.
"In consultation with the senior leadership of the Board of Trustees, I have been actively reviewing matters attendant to our football program, and I have accepted Coach Tressel's resignation," Gee said in a statement. "The University's enduring public purposes and its tradition of excellence continue to guide our actions."
Tressel and the school had received a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA in April outlining major NCAA violations and specifically singling out Tressel for knowing players were playing while ineligible.
Two weeks ago, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith gave Tressel his support at the Big Ten spring meetings. At the same meetings, Tressel barely spoke to the press.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said at the time there was much interest in Ohio State, and not a lot of it was positive.
Tressel had been suspended the first five games of the 2011 season. Now, the Dispatch reports, Luke Fickell will coach the entire 2011 season as an interim coach. The university will start its search for Tressel's permanent replacement following next season.
Tressel was 106-22 overall at Ohio State and 9-1 against Michigan. He won the 2002 national championship and has won or shared seven Big Ten conference titles.
"We look forward to refocusing the football program on doing what we do best - representing this extraordinary University and its values on the field, in the classroom, and in life," Smith said in a statement. "We look forward to supporting Luke Fickell in his role as our football coach. We have full confidence in his ability to lead our football program."
Comments
1bit
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 11:47 p.m.
Haven't you heard? The coaching staff has already been decided: Urban Meyer will be head coach, Jon Gruden is the defensive coordinator, Bob Stoops is the Offensive Coordinator, Bo Pelini is the defense line coach, Les Miles will be the offensive line coach, Nick Saban is the chief recruiter, Mark Dantonio will be the compliance officer, Steve Spurrier will be the Quarterbacks coach, Chip Kelly will be the running backs coach, Brian Kelly will be the offensive-coordinator in waiting, and they've hired the ghosts of Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes as outside consultants. Because the OSU is so great and have been so wrongly disparaged, the NCAA will feel sorry for all the trouble it has caused them and will allow tOSU to recruit 120 athletes per year, and pay the players at "market value". tOSU will also be allowed to pick the best juniors and seniors off of every team for the next 5 years. The Downtown Athletic Club has also stated that every future Heisman trophy winner must be from tOSU. In fact, the NCAA has changed it so all past Heisman trophy winners were all from tOSU.
mun
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
Where's the Big 10 commish Jim DeLaney? The silence is deafening!
mojo
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.
OSU will reload - they always do. In December, look for Urban Meyer to take over - he grew up a buckeye and it is a job he always wanted - will not be able to say no.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.
cutty How can this hurt the Big Ten? The NCAA makes these rules so that the table is even and teams are competitive. Good coaches give some teams an advantage but it should level off based on recruiting cycles. Every team in the BT has had those cycles except one. Now we know why tsio was able to keep getting the better players, it paid for them. This will level the playing field literally and swing the talent pool to an even basis. (And depending on the sanctions, lower tsio's ability to stockpile talent for the next several years.) It couldn't happen to a nicer group of cheaters.
amaizenblueballs
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.
Sports Illustrated article is now posted: <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/magazine/05/30/jim.tressel/" rel='nofollow'>http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/magazine/05/30/jim.tressel/</a>
MikeyP
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 5:11 a.m.
Yeah... Oh-How-I-Hate-Ohio-State is going to get the book thrown at them after that bombshell. Going from six players to twenty-eight... whap! Even if it's only half-true (and with this program it always seems to be twice as bad as suggested when the truth comes out!) the NCAA has no choice but to lay out some major sanctions lest they lose all credibility. And, as noted, Tressel himself is sure to face sanctions that would follow him to any school he goes to, so the suggestion Michigan should snap him up makes even less sense.
amaizenblueballs
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 3:11 a.m.
Makes you wonder now how history may have been different. Lloyd Carr may have coached additional years. If you don't believe that one, then Rich Rodriguez would still be coach. If you don't believe that one, Terrelle Pryor would have left after two years hopefully only for academic reasons. While there may be reason for bitterness by those impacted, where would you prefer to be today true Michigan fan? I look forward to winning, winning legitimately and winning with pride, emotion and class. This should drive OSU crazy and there will be a day in the future where the rivalry returns to its competitive glory.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 12:59 a.m.
Meyer didn't 'buy" a house, it was given to him. He just had to donate a kidney, a championship ring, and a Florida jersey from Tim Tebow. The new car for the family dog has really low payments.
ThoseWhoStayUofM
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
For some reason, I have a feeling Tressel did tell the AD and that both of them talked it over and decided it was best to try and cover it up. Now that it is all out in the open, instead of both of them taking the fall, Tressel decided he would be the fall man. It makes sense assuming Tressel has a love for the university and wants what he believes is best for it. If Tressel is covering up the rule breaking of players, what's to make us believe that he wouldn't do it for the university as a whole? That's just my two cents.
tommy_t
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:48 p.m.
Hmmm - the sound of closet doors slamming and hammers.
Terry Star21
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:48 p.m.
There is no victory here for anyone in college football. The ohio state university is a proud and respected educational institute first - and sports are alway secondary. I don't really want to hear all the violations or penalties and will not accept a forfeited victory from 2010. osu and jim tressel have just done the right thing - all us of college football faithfuls, whether it be Michigan or osu should just shut-it and start tomorrow looking forward to our teams fall season - and the buckeyes coming back to Ann Arbor in November. If there should be so much concentration on the negative - why don't we try to figure out why so many thousands of so called 'M fans' sell their season ticket seats to nd, msu and osu people so I have to babysit them @ the Big House and watch osu do the wave (2009) in my own stadium ? MgoBlueForTiM !!!!
Blu n Tpa
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 1:10 a.m.
Stop, this has to be a troll to ignore all the facts. My guess is you would feel sorry for the guy robbing you because he is misunderstood by society. This is a Buckeye on Buckeye crime. It's not a Michigan fight.
tulsatom
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:24 p.m.
While on the surface it appears Tressel is nothing but a cheater and a liar, the REAL reason for his resignation is that he wanted nothing to do with Brady Hoke so he got out while the getting was good, lol. Tressel made his bed and now he has to lie in it. News bulletin to Tressel: Actions do matter.
MjC
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:14 p.m.
This is actually a sad day for OSU fans. My blue and maize heart can't help but say hang in there buckeyes.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 1:08 a.m.
This isn't the same as Bo dying before the game. This is osu cheating and lying to beat Michigan and others and getting caught at it. Even now there are buckeye fans laying claim to victories that weren't earned on a level playing field. You can't play with illegal players, win and say, "Hey, we beat you on the field." No, you cheated and your head coach lied. I'm glad Michigan was dumb not kidding ourselves the last 3 years.
heartbreakM
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:13 p.m.
Question for the author: Is this the first time that it will be OSU-UM with new coaches on both sides?
Moonmaiden
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 6:36 p.m.
Well, it had to happen at least once (first time they played) . . .
GoblueinNE_PA
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 12:29 p.m.
No, it's happened 5 times in the history of the rivalry. The last time it happened was 1929
John B.
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 10:54 p.m.
No - it happened once previously, in 1929....
Terry Star21
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:57 p.m.
Now that's a great question - this could only add to the great anticipation and game in November. The only question I ask, is why not take the 'Interim' off and make Luke ' Official Head Coach' ?
superbuck
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:10 p.m.
Urban Meyer bought a house in Columbus last week Huh imagine that
Blu n Tpa
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 1:02 a.m.
Probation, loss of revenue, losing to Michigan (on paper and forever), etc...Don't you have enough trouble or are you just trying to share the pain?
Terry Star21
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:52 p.m.
I Actually think Urban Meyer would be a good fit at osu. I Actually hope buckeye fans can start tomorrow with a new beginning - and that so many of them Actually stop harassing Michigan Faithful, which make their great University look tarnished.
1bit
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:51 p.m.
Just a birds-eye view to watch the carnage. You're in some serious denial. It's understandable. Let's see what the SI article comes up with. Let's see the extent of the penalties. And how about giving the current interim coach a chance before looking for his replacement.
heartbreakM
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:08 p.m.
I care about Ohio State only so much as I like the rivalry to be clean, and I like the B10 to be clean. In the spirit of that, I find no happiness in their current problems. I think it's about time Tressel resigned. I used to be a big fan of his (so much as a Michigan fan and alum can be), because I respected what he did. That respect ended when the tattoo five became a story. The more I learned about this, the more shame I felt. I thought Tressel lost his moral standing when he did not suspend these players for the Sugar Bowl *and so did OSU as an institution (thought the AD should have stepped in rather than make his inane comments). I have heard for years that Tressel was dirty and chose not to believe it. Obviously I was wrong, and I hope that Tressel does not get off coaching at another school while the clean players get punished. I do hope that Gee and Smith (the AD) get it in the pants, too, though. I think Smith is an embarrassment who puts beating Michigan and bowl victories above ethics, and Gee puts football above the academic standing of the school. Maybe the aa.com staff can go to Justin Boren for a quote about OSU's family values!! LOL.
Jonny Spirit
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 4:47 p.m.
I told you all this last week. I'm just saying :) Go Green!
rightmind250
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 4:45 p.m.
This is not good news sports fans. Urban Meyer recently bought a house in Columbus. He will replace Tressel. No coach in the country can recruit Ohio, Florida, Texas, California better than Meyer.
1bit
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:37 p.m.
We can beat any team that doesn't cheat. Don't worry about it.
Fan
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
Three comments: First, it appears the NCAA knew of this entire situation before the holiday bowl series began. Like Tressel they took their time to confirm the accusations. The NCAA chose NOT to impact the flow of millions of dollars associated with the holiday bowl series. Now that the "check has cleared the bank" its a revelation? Sounds like "Too Big To Fail" Second: The NCAA is wrong for putting their head in the sand while making millions of dollars off the backs of student athletes. These students come from varied social and economic backgrounds and deserve the dignity of having access to comforts, toys and things teenagers like them, have all over the world. Come on, selling earned memorabilia to buy a pizza and a tattoo? These athletes will take away from the university, physical disabilities that they may never recover from; not even a medical plan to comfort their pain. - some life threatening! Michigan like other major universities have world renowned medical facilities and staffs. Surely the NCAA should provide student athletes life time health care associated with disabilities they suffered while in service; they deserve injury protection like Workers Compensation. Third: "Hire Jim Tressel at Michigan". Let Tressel bring with him, his four and five star recruits and coaching staff. Welcome with open arms, all student athletes who want to transfer from OSU to Michigan; this maybe the only immediate way of Michigan getting an All American running back and defense. Seriously, Michigan can go from not being mentioned in the top 50 college teams (lol) to the BCS front-runner for years to come! AD: Think new - not now!
northside
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:13 p.m.
The NCAA seems to do everything possible to make sure scandals don't blow up in the face of bowl games (see: Newton, Cam). And as you mentioned the biggest scandal is how the NCAA itself operates.
1bit
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
"First, it appears the NCAA knew of this entire situation before the holiday bowl series began." No, they didn't. Because Tressel lied about it. And covered it up. What we will now find out is how deep the rabbit hole goes and how many years Tressel played ineligible players. Last year will be off the books for sure (maybe even the bowl game). Depending on how far back the car deals go, there may still be show cause orders and lack of institutional control penalties. Sure, you can win when you cheat. I was around for the Fab Five and it's all great until everyone finds out you were cheating the whole time. I would never, ever, want Jim Tressel to coach at Michigan. Read more about him: <a href="http://genuinelysarcastic.blogspot.com/2011/05/dotting-lie.html" rel='nofollow'>http://genuinelysarcastic.blogspot.com/2011/05/dotting-lie.html</a>
Doug
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
Florida Flash - You hit the nail on the head. This presents a prime opportunity for RichRod to return to West Virginia!
oldblueypsi
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.
Could it be that Coach H and Coach M will be holding a job fair at Schembechler Hall for C'bus commits that desire to bail out? The way this story has played out gives credence to the true name of that institution, The Olentangy Stench Unversity.
cutty240
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:52 p.m.
I told you College Football Fans,and U of M Football fans about a month ago this was going to happen.The reason it comes out today,their is another very bad story coming out about Sweather Vest,and Ohio State.They made him come back from vaction in Fla.to have him Resign.A Wise Word to all Michigan Fans,don't YUCK IT UP TO MUCH.Beleive me there is enough EGG ON OHIO STATE FACE TO GO AROUND.Stop and think,this hurts the whole BIG TEN.Like the old Gesser Al Davis says.JUST WIN BABY.
missionbrazil
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:52 p.m.
This was totally expected, since Tressel signed off on the NCAA form saying he had no knowledge of the violations. Terrible move. Things are going to get worse for OSU before they get any better. Too bad Coach Hoke never got the chance to beat The Vest ... I think he had a good shot at it.
TTISDELICIOUS
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:49 p.m.
From a cheater to a quitter.....just what I would expect. What AD really meant to say is 'We look forward to refocusing the football program on doing what we do best - representing this sub-par University and its lack of values on the field, skipping in the classroom, and swapping prized awards for tattoos in life, having coaches who hit opposing players when things go bad, etc...'
missionbrazil
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:49 p.m.
This is just the beginning of your troubles superbuck ... it's going to be a long and painful road for your Buckeye Nation. Don't come looking for mercy here.
rensational
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:27 p.m.
Gaining momentum. Let's recap so far: -Got a Michigan Man back at the helm. -Beat Michigan State TWICE in basketball and for the first time since, what, 1997? -Time clocks for Michigan State and "Ohio," i.e. coaches and players finally understand these rivalries. -The defense looks like it's on the way back in the spring game. -Racking up commits in the state of Michigan and the state of Ohio. -Ohio State's reality keeps getting worse and worse. -Ohio State has an interim head coach, hahaha! -Michigan State is still Michigan State, i.e. that football program that is good only, like, 5 times every 20-30 years. Wisconsin has House of Pain's "Jump Around." I'm coming to the Big House with a maize-and-blue MC Hammer "Gaining Momentum" shirt and cranking up the chorus.
John B.
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 10:52 p.m.
"They put me in the mix!" Funny stuff, good idea.
Mick
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:05 p.m.
-Not interested in Tressel, Hoke is it! This is Michigan! -Hey Superbuck, who exactly is this great coach you gonna get? You're program has an uphill battle from here on out. What credible coach wants to deal with that mess, super hopeful? Super lame! -I've also wonderewd about their Basketball program under Matta, someone should look onto them indeed and ask, what's the Matta? -If the timing means anything, it sure is interesting he resigned 1 day before the SI article is being released. --Tressel's 9-1 record was obviously built on lies and cheating, I wouldn't brag about a record that's tainted. Who knows what that record would have been had he not been skirting the rules for a decade. I can think of at least 4 games that might have turned out differently sans some players that shouldn't have been on the field. -I agree that Hoke is going to bring down the hammer on TSIO, Tressel wants no part of that. You're cheating, lying, lucky run is over and will forever be a black eye instead of something to exalt or brag about. -Finally......Go Blue!!!
Blu-dogg97
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:31 p.m.
Right on it Mick.. totally agree..
Blu n Tpa
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.
"I just hope Coach Tressel doesn't fire me" or words to that effect were spoken at the press conference when this story broke. Well that might still happen. The AD will be the next to go because he couldn't maintain control of the flagship sport of his department and the NCAA wont be happy with just Tressel. Smith will go at the same time that osu announces that it will vacate last year's games and it's share of the Big Ten crown. In the near future all of the remaining football players involved with "tattoo-gate" will apply for the supplement NFL draft because they will not be allowed to return to the team after the first 5 games are done. Think about the message it would send to the NCAA and others that osu is so sorry about breaking the rules that it is going to put those players back on the field the second month of the season. No way that happens, regardless of them having fulfilled the 5 game penalty. Also, paralleling the tattoo story, is the developing one concerning discounts for cars for athletics at osu. President Gee will be hard pressed to keep his position after the Board sees how long and how deep the rot goes. As far as feeling sorry for them is concerned, I feel bad for those players who did it right and did it fair. For a long time the smell will hang on them too, and that's guilt by association. That, plus the loss of bowl games will cause a ripple effect that will last a while in the future. But be careful, osu will still be dangerous and Michigan better be ready to play them because if it's not, the outcome will be the same as the last 3 years.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:08 p.m.
"As far as feeling sorry for them is concerned, I feel bad for those players who did it right and did it fair. For a long time the smell will hang on them too, and that's guilt by association." Indeed. And for the teams that did it right (or made a better effort to do it right than did OSU) and who were beaten by those cheaters. The NCAA might take the victories away, but the players lost on the field, albeit against a band of cheaters. Winning on paper will never make up for that. Good Night and Good Luck
Robert Granville
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.
Buckeyes you know what it is from here on out. You knew with smashmouth football returning to Michigan, your time as the torch bearers of the Big Ten was fading. Now with Tressel gone, it is over. Go Blue
rocco
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 2:21 p.m.
Even though I'm a Michigan fan, I'll always remember Jim Tressel as the gutsy coach who told the crowd when he was hired that he would beat our team next fall...and he did. He graduated players and did much more good than harm to OSU. I think the NCAA has gotten way out of hand with regulations on the players' behavior. Who believes they don't have the right to sell something they earned or were rewarded? OSU did what it had to do, but the victim in this is Tressel and the OSU fan base, not the players, not the university, not college football. The only winner is the NCAA.
mun
Tue, May 31, 2011 : 6:01 p.m.
"He graduated players and did much more good than harm to OSU." Like Maurice Clarett? As in the guy who walked out of a mid term exam and still passed the class?
1bit
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 4:43 p.m.
rocco: I used to respect Tressel as well. Then I learned more about what he did to get to the top. He cheated. Routinely. Familiarize yourself with his accomplishments: <a href="http://genuinelysarcastic.blogspot.com/2011/05/dotting-lie.html" rel='nofollow'>http://genuinelysarcastic.blogspot.com/2011/05/dotting-lie.html</a>
missionbrazil
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:57 p.m.
rocco ... come on now ... the people who commit violations and break laws or rules are NOT victims. They know the rules and they CHOOSE to break them. Tressel knew the rules, and he knew about the violations made by his players, and he CHOSE to try to cover it up. The cover-up is always worse than the crime. He made a CHOICE ... now he need to live with the consequences.
Nic schweigert
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:27 p.m.
It's called unfair benefits dude. Not everyone else was allowed to get discounted tatts or cheap cars. If the whole public isn't offered these then it's cheating. And tressel knew about it and still played his boys so he could win and look good to his o-lie-o state bosses. too bad he scared off before home could get ahold of him
Blu n Tpa
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:15 p.m.
I don't understand the attitude where you know the rules, you sign a document saying you wont break the rules and then you justify your actions by saying "Why don't I have the right to do this?" Well mostly it's because you gave your word. You promised to follow the rules as a condition to get into the program. If you want to "man up", tell them, "No, I will sell this stuff even though it was given to me and me alone." That way you wont get the chance there or anywhere else that has the same NCAA rules. Just go down to the "Grub and Stuff" and work full time while paying your own way at Local Junior College. If that's the best your thinking gets you, Good Luck with that.
RJ12688
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
The Vest was well aware of the rules and also aware of the fact that his players were breaking them. Look at all the negative press that has been thrown at OSU because of his lies. And your gonna call him a victim? All he had to do was show the integrity any decent man should have and deal with the issues correctly. He is a liar, and got what was coming to him.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
Can't help but wonder what was going through his head. Good Night and Good Luck
1bit
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
He was probably thinking that he had gotten away with it before, so why not this time.
superbuck
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 2:13 p.m.
Well you got what you have prayed for but now an awesome OHIO STATE team will turn into a SUPREME team when we get the next head coach which will become Michigans next worst nightmare, What you wish for somtimes comes back and bite's you on the bum. GO BUCKS
Terry Star21
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:36 p.m.
Most of us give ohio state a ton of respect and there is no victory here for anyone in college football. Statements like this only look for trouble and try very hard to prove a great school like osu - has poor sportsmanship in their fans. That is the real shame here !
northside
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.
You just lost one of the best coaches in college ball and his era is now irreparably tainted. Not exactly the best day to gloat about 'awesome' and 'supreme.'
Blu n Tpa
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
Sorry, you should handle one nightmare at a time, don't you think? By the way, this is a self inflicted wound by the Buckeyes on the Buckeyes, so don't bring your perverted guilt here. The record under Tressel will FOREVER be questioned just like the bad old day of Michigan basketball. As bad as it was losing to osu the last 3 years due to stupidity, that was more tolerable than having at least one season erased due to cheating and lying.
Blu-dogg97
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
superduck.. your delusional at best.. osu is going to lose scholarships,and other sanctions will be coming!! Are young recruits going to chose osu,because they have been cheating/lying for the last 10 yrs,or will they come because the interim coach has zero head coaching experience,or maybe they can get a deal on a used car,and some ink !! dream on dude... stupid comment...
Marc Anthony
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
It's a great day to not be a Buckeye, but let's not start jumping in the streets the same way we did with bin laden. It would have been nice to beat the guy once more before he quit.
Florida Flash
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
Somebody! Quick! Call E. Gordon Gee and tell him that Rich Rodriguez is available!
Doug
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 4:12 p.m.
Indeed - a prime opportunity for RichRod to return to West Virginia!
missionbrazil
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
That would be awesome if whatshisname ended up at OSU. Great idea.
DonAZ
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:31 p.m.
Is there an Urban Meyer in OSU's future?
SemperFi
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
It makes one wonder how deeply this behavior is ingrained in the OSU culture. When the story broke, the AD and university president both made light of it. Much more going on than meets the eye.
northside
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 2:01 p.m.
If Michigan really wants to win? Buy out Hoke and hire Tressel. I know, crazy idea and it'll never happen. But it would be the ultimate coaching switch and drive Buckeye fans mad. Aside from Wisconsin's Barry Alvarez who has been a more successful Big Ten coach over the past 30 years?
johnnya2
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 7:19 p.m.
Ethical issues aside? Are you serious? Thats like saying "other thhan that, how did you like the play Mrs Lincoln" By the way, Lloyd is called into question for winning with past players. Tressel's only NC was in his second year. Tressel did not take over a floundering program. Cooper routinely was winning 10 games per year. The only loss was to Michigan.
northside
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
Over the past 20 years I'd rank the top three - ethical issues aside - Tressel, Alvarez, and Carr. 1. Tressel went 106-22 with 3 title game appearances in 10 years. He buried his main rival. 2. Alvarez took over a doormat program and won three Rose Bowls. In addition he left it in great shape and it remains a consistent top 15 program. 3. Carr had a great run but took over a top program. And I don't recall too many Michigan fans being sad to see him step down, though the Rich Rod years have changed those feelings. Paterno? 4 sub-.500 seasons is the past ten. And is he really still coaching the team or just a figurehead?
johnnya2
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 3:46 p.m.
"who has been a more successful Big Ten coach ? Lloyd Carr has as many National Championships. Joe Paterno has won even more. By the way, neither of these two men ever had a scandal where they condoned cheating. Jim Tressel would be worse than Rich Rod. It would never happen, but even as an idea it is foolish. I think Tressel will end up in the SEC where cheating is not only condoned, it is encouraged. I see Tennessee or Florida in his future.
Robert Granville
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.
I take it you're not a Wolverines fan.
SemperFi
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
It's not a crazy idea, it's a dumb idea. UM has more sense than to knowingly hire a cheater and liar. Hoke is going to prove to be the best coach in the Big 10.
RJ12688
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.
Good riddance
zeke56
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 1:51 p.m.
now it looks like Mr. Hoke might have a chance. for all those who are thinking about trashing OSU for cheating, be very careful. your comments will look pretty darn trashy based on what has been going on with the athletic program here for decades.
Cash
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 1:46 p.m.
This had better not affect some severe punishment to....O-Lie-O State.
GoblueinNE_PA
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 1:45 p.m.
It was just a matter of time. Tressel has been dirty since day one. He pulled this same kind of stuff at YSU, but he wiggled out of it there. My only problem with this is that it won't give Hoke the opportunity to turn around the rivalry against Tressel himself. This will give OSU supporters the ability to say, "Yeah, but you never beat Tressel".
1bit
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
The SI.com article tomorrow is probably going to be a doozy. Cheating always catches up to you and the covering it up never helps.