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Home , Carroll Widdoes, Craig Krenzel, Earle Bruce, Jim Bollman, Jim Heacock, Jim Tressel

eblade special

E EDITION TOLEDO, TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011 RISE AND FALL OF OSU COACH TRESSEL ERA ENDS With allegations Reactions growing, leaving to Tressel became inevitable departure

By RYAN AUTULLO was the final nudge OSU need- BLADE SPORTS WRITER ed to encourage Tressel to re- COLUMBUS — Confront- sign. His ouster seemed un- ed Friday with damning de- avoidable after news broke in tails unearthed in a Sports Il- March that Tressel knowing- lustrated investigation into its ly lied to the NCAA about six football program, Ohio State of his players violating rules, officials decided to get rid of and then allowing those ineli- the man who ultimately has to gible players to participate in answer for his players’ trans- the 2010 season. gressions. The magazine published its Successful coach Jim Tres- report Monday evening show- sel tendered his letter of res- ing that since 2002 — Tres- ignation Monday, apparently sel’s second season — at least There are resigna- after being encouraged to do 28 Buckeyes players have re- so the prior evening during a ceived tattoos in exchange for ‘tions and there are meeting with memorabilia. wink-wink resigna- Gene Smith. Last week, former OSU re- The SI report apparently ceiver Ray Small told the stu- tions. Don’t for a dent newspaper, The Lantern, minute think Tressel THE FIVE PLAYERS he sold his Big Ten champion- wasn’t pointed toward SUSPENDED ship rings for cash and that several of his teammates re- the door... ceived discounts on cars sim- ply because they played foot- ball for Ohio State. Small lat- er refuted his statements, but ...It became more than The Lantern stood by its sto- trinkets and tattoos. ry. In December, when six It became about cars players were accused of trad- and extra benefits... ing memorabilia for tattoos, Smith said the football pro- gram did not have a “system- ...Apparently, winning ic” problem. As SI revealed, Smith was wrong. was so important Of the 28 accused players, 15 to that are still on the team, including the six whose names surfaced he ended up losing in December. Additionally, Mike Adams everything. nine former players accused of the wrongdoing might fall The Blade/Jeremy Wadsworth Dave Hackenberg’ within the NCAA’s four-year Ohio State Jim Tressel on the sidelines in Columbus. Ohio State an- statute of limitations. nounced Monday, May 30, 2011 that football coach Jim Tressel resigned as the Current team members ac- NCAA investigates the Buckeyes for possible rules violations. cused of trading memora- There’s still a lot to bilia in exchange for tattoos admire about Tressel, to Columbus tattoo parlor ‘ Fine Link Ink are defensive JIM TRESSEL BIO both as a man and as back C.J. Barnett, lineback- ■ BORN: Dec. 5, 1952 er Dorian Bell, Jim Tressel in a football coach, but Jaamal Berry, running back ■ ALMA MATER: Baldwin Ohio State has been Bo DeLande, defensive back resignation letter: Wallace (1975). down this road before. Zach Domicone, linebacker ■ PLAYING CAREER: Storm Klein, linebacker Eti- Four-time varsity letterman Nobody is bigger than enne Sabino, defensive tackle We will be fine. (1971-74); all-conference as the program... John Simon and defensive end a senior. Nathan Williams. ASSOCIATED PRESS Daniel Herron COLUMBUS — The text of Jim Tressel’s resignation let- ■ COACHING CAREER: Bob Hunter, Columbus Dispatch’ Six other current players were accused by the NCAA in ter tendered on Monday to Ohio State athletic director Graduate Assistant, Akron, December of doing the same. Gene Smith: 1975; , Re- They are Terrelle Dear Gene: ceivers and Running Backs Since he’s at the top, Pryor, offensive tackle Mike After meeting with university officials, we agreed that Coach, Akron, 1976-78; he had the farthest to it is in the best interest of Ohio State that I resign as head ‘ Adams, running back Dan Quarterbacks and Receiv- Herron, wide receiver DeVier football coach. ers Coach, Miami (Ohio), fall. Posey, defensive end Solomon The recent situation has been a distraction for our great 1979-80; Quarterbacks university and I make this decision for the greater good of ’ Thomas and linebacker Jor- Coach, Syracuse, 1981-82; dan Whiting. All six have been our school. Quarterbacks, Receivers Central Catholic grad and for- suspended for the start of the The appreciation that (wife) Ellen and I have for the and Running Backs Coach, mer OSU wide receiver 2011 season, with Whiting sit- Buckeye Nation is immeasurable. We have been blessed Ohio State, 1983-85; Head to work with the finest group of young men in America ting out one game and his five Coach, Youngstown State, and we love them dearly. In addition, we cannot thank you teammates missing the first 1986-2000 (135-57-2 re- Many coaches in the five games. enough. ... the high school coaches we have worked with over these many years. cord); Head Coach, Ohio past probably handled The beginning of the end of State, 2001-2011 (106-22). ‘ Tressel’s 10-year run at OSU We know that God has a plan for us and we will be fine. We will be Buckeyes forever. ■ OVERALL RECORD: player violations in DeVier Posey seemingly began Sept. 13. It was then that Tressel signed — Jim Tressel 241-79-2. the same way. But the an annual NCAA certificate ■ ASSISTED UNDER: times have changed. of compliance form indicat- (Akron); Tom ing he knows of no violations Reed (Miami of Ohio); Dick Bill Livingston ’ and has reported to the school MacPherson (Syracuse); Plain Dealer any knowledge of possible vi- (Ohio State). olations. But about five months pri- ■ HIGHLIGHTS: Led or to his signing of that form, Youngstown State to the INSIDE Tressel learned in an e-mail 1991, 1993, 1994 and that two of his players — Tres- 1997 Division I-AA National ■ Former Buckeye Luke sel and Posey — had traded Championship. Led Ohio Fickell, an assistant memorabilia for tattoos. By State to seven Big Ten under John Cooper and not reporting the violation to Conference titles and to six Jim Tressel, takes over the NCAA, Tressel committed bowl victories in 10 appear- as interim head coach a violation of his own, and one ances, including 5-3 in BCS for the 2011 season. that almost always ends with a games. Won the 2002 na- Page e2 Tyrelle Pryor coach losing his job. tional championship game Despite his mistakes, many with a double-overtime win ■ Ohio State football OSU followers still support over Miami. Had a 9-1 re- coaches’ careers often Tressel. They instead have cord against rival Michigan. don’t end on a good note. cast blame on Pryor and the ■ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: other accused players, the Coaches Page e2 OSU compliance office, and ■ the media for its perceived Association National Coach Buckeyes face uncer- witch hunt. of the Year in 1991, 1994 tain future after decade Tressel had enormous suc- and 2002; Eddie Robinson of success under Tres- cess in his 10 seasons, posting National Coach of the Year sel. a 106-22 record, a 9-1 record in 1994 and 2002; Bobby Page e3 against rival Michigan, seven Dodd Coach of the Year in 2002; Paul “Bear” Bryant ■ Many fans, players Big Ten championships, and a still support Tressel double-overtime win over Mi- Award in 2002. ami (Fla.) in the Source: The Associated Press Page e4 to win the 2002 BCS national

Solomon Thomas See JUMP, Page e4 The June 6, 2011 edition cover of .

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black SECTION E, PAGE E2 eblade special THE BLADE: TOLEDO, OHIO ■ TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011 Endings often not good for OSU football coaches

By RAY STEIN The departure: COLUMBUS DISPATCH Widdoes had been As a friend of Jim Tressel and an installed as a gate- occasional colleague on the ban- keeper of sorts un- quet circuit, Jack Park was sad- til Brown could dened to learn the news yester- return to run the day of Tressel’s resignation as Ohio show, but he found State football coach. instant success As a longtime chronicler of Ohio with an unbeaten State football history, however, team in 1944 that Park was anything but surprised. included Ohio State’s first Heis- “We’ve never really had a coach man Trophy winner, . who left on his own terms,” Park But Widdoes did not find happi- said. “The only guy who really left ness. He was a quiet man who did on his own accord was not particularly enjoy dealing with (in 1944), and that’s because he the media and alumni clubs, Park was so young and going into the said, and on Jan. 2, 1946, he asked service[in World War II]. to return to his former role as an as- “I really thought Tressel would sistant coach. St. John granted the be the first one who would coach request. 15 or 18 years or whatever and say, ‘I’m going to retire. I’m going to go out on top.’ ” Year at OSU: 1946 That didn’t happen, of course, Record: 4-3-2 and instead Tressel became the lat- The departure: Bixler was el- est to leave on terms other than his evated from assistant coach to re- own. Here’s a quick look at the exits place Widdoes, of the 10 Ohio State coaches prior to but he found the Tressel: seat no cooler than most of his prede- cessors. OSU won Years at OSU: 1913-28 only one of its first Record at school: 78-33-9, three four games and Big Ten championships finished the sea- The departure: Wilce resigned son with two loss- on June 3, 1928, effective at the end es, including a hu- of the season, to practice medicine miliating 58-6 de- and to continue teaching at the uni- feat at home against Michigan. On versity. Wilce, who Feb. 5, 1947, Bixler cited the pres- obtained his medi- sure of the job in his resignation. cal degree in 1919, He accepted the coaching job at probably had other Colgate on the same day. motives for leaving the coaching pro- Associated Press fession, Park said. Years at OSU: 1947-50 Ohio State assistant head coach watches from the sideline during an NCAA college His teams suffered Record: 21-13-3, one Big Ten championship football Spring Game, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State announced Fickell will serve as interim t h roug h t h ree head coach for the 2011-2012 season. consecutive losing The departure: seasons in the first three years Ohio Ohio State’s rep- Stadium had opened (1922-24) and utation for be- finished better than fourth in the ing a “graveyard conference only once in his final of coaches” was in seven seasons. full swing as former Interim coach Fickell OSU All-American Fesler stepped in to Years at OSU: 1929-33 become the Buck- Record: 26-10-5, no Big Ten eyes’ fourth coach in five seasons. championships Ohio State won a Rose Bowl and thrust into the spotlight The departure: The Buckeyes’ Big had a Heisman winner (Vic Janow- icz) under Fesler but his final sea- Ten title drought reached 13 years By DOUG LESMERISES said he’s a proponent of wide-open under Willaman, whose teams lost son, 1950, fizzled after a 6-1 start. First was a 14-7 loss to Illinois, and (Cleveland) Plain Dealer LUKE FICKELL BIO national searches. At this stage, no twice to Michigan and three times reasonable national search could to Northwestern. His final team then came the famous Snow Bowl COLUMBUS — Luke Fickell has loss to Michigan, when Fesler or- long been viewed a future head Luke Fickell, Ohio State have been conducted now, so it was finished 7-1, but that didn’t keep interim coach delayed until after the season. So many alumni from dered a third-down punt that was coach, though there has always been blocked for the only of the question of whether Ohio State’s ■ AGE: 37, married with four chil- expect Fickell to be a contender for grumbling. Willa- the full-time job, though the Buck- man resigned on the game. Two weeks later, Fesler co-defensive coordinator would take dren. resigned under pressure — then a head job at another school to pre- eyes should have some proven head Jan. 30, 1934, and ■ Columbus native and graduate coaches to choose from. Of course, if that same day ac- accepted the coaching job at Min- pare himself for the chance to lead nesota within two months. the Buckeyes some day. of DeSales High School. the program is hit with major NCAA cepted an offer to sanctions, some potential hires may become coach at “I’m still young and I’m learning ■ PLAYING CAREER: Defensive a lot,” Fickell told the Plain Dealer lineman at Ohio State 1992-96, no longer be interested. Western Reserve Years at OSU: 1951-78 Fickell should always be interest- in Cleveland. Ac- Record: 205-61-10, 13 Big Ten three years ago. “People always say making 212 tackles, while the to be a head coach [at Ohio State], Buckeyes went 41-8-1 in his four ed. cording to Park’s championships, three national “I’m excited for Coach Fickell, for book, The Official championships you’ve got to be a head coach some- years as a starter. place else, that you’ve got to leave. Luke,” former OSU receiver Antho- Ohio State Football Encyclopedia, The depar- ■ COACHING CAREER: Ohio ny Gonzalez said after expressing Willaman “appeared to be ‘happy’ ture: Hayes had If that’s the case, maybe it’s not the right thing for me.” State graduate assistant in 1999; his sadness over Tressel’s departure. for the first time in many weeks” af- escaped troubled Akron defensive line coach 2000- “As all Buckeye fans should, I’m fully ter his resignation. times throughout Since then, Fickell, 37, has thrown his name into the ring for some head 01; Ohio State assistant for nine supportive of him and wish him the his 28-year ten- years, starting in 2002, first as best. He’s worked hard and he de- jobs at other schools, and Ohio State ure at Ohio State, the special teams coordinator for serves the opportunity he’s getting.” Years at OSU: 1934-40 including NCAA gave him a raise when Notre Dame talked about his joining its staff. But two years, then as the lineback- At the start of spring practice, Record: 39-16-1, two Big Ten sanctions for im- ers coach beginning in 2004, then when Fickell was announced as the championships proper benefits he wasn’t in a hurry to leave his alma mater or the Columbus area, where adding the co-defensive coordi- interim coach, he made it clear that The departure: Schmidt might in 1956 and many calls for his dis- the team still belonged to Tressel. have been able to run for may- missal from a disgruntled fan base, his family was settled, for just any nator title in 2005. job. He’s in the process of realizing now or of Columbus based on his first some of whom hanged him in effi- that, at least for this season, it be- four seasons, when he turned the gy for his team’s failings. But noth- And now he has The Job, named the Buckeyes’ interim coach for a the chaos of today and the unknown longs to him. tables on Michigan’s dominance ing could undo Hayes’ career like future. “This place is not about one per- with four straight shutout wins a roundhouse to the jaw of an op- full year in the wake of Jim Tressel’s resignation Monday. Fickell was the “Luke Fickell is going to be a great son. It’s not about Coach Tress, it’s not over the Wolverines. But the hon- ponent. Hayes sealed his fate when head coach,” said OSU legend and about whoever is going to be wearing eymoon atmosphere soon faded as he punched Clemson nose guard interim coach for Tressel’s five-game suspension at the start of the season, Hall of Fame mem- the headsets on Saturday afternoon. Schmidt’s teams Charlie Bauman late in the 1978 ber John Hicks. “Unfortunately, I It’s much bigger than that,” Fickell slipped to 4-3-1 in Gator Bowl after Bauman made a but now has a full year to show he can lead a program. wish he wouldn’t have gotten it un- said on that day in late March. the 1938 season game-sealing . Hayes der these circumstances, but he will “And we always know that Ohio and his lack of or- was dismissed the next day. As the linebackers coach, he was praised by players for his ability to shine and he’ll be a great leader for State never has been and never will ganizational skills Earle Bruce the program.” be about just one person in partic- became obvious. play the bad cop in practice and Years at OSU: 1979-87 maintain great relationships off the The 2011 season should serve as ular. It’s about Ohio State football Schmidt held the Record: 81-26-1, four Big Ten his audition, though OSU athlet- and most importantly it’s going to be detractors at bay field. At the very least, he should championships serve as a stabilizing force between ic director Gene Smith has always about these 2011 Buckeyes.” with a 7-2 sea- The departure: Bruce was a Rose son in ‘39, but the Bowl win over pressure caught Southern Cali- up to him when fornia away from his 1940 team underachieved and winning a nation- Fickell learned under Cooper, Tressel then was bulldozed by Michigan al title in his first By TIM MAY During that span, the Buckeyes 40-0. Schmidt resigned on Dec. 16 season following to avoid being fired by athletic di- COLUMBUS DISPATCH went 41-8-1 and shared in two a legend, but sev- Big Ten titles. rector Lynn W. St. John. en consecutive COLUMBUS — Luke Fick- ell was installed as Ohio State’s The last game of Fickell’s three-loss seasons streak was the Rose Bowl win Paul Brown began to wear on 23rd head football coach Mon- Years at OSU: 1941-43 day, in the wake of the ouster of over Arizona State. He played a public that had gotten spoiled the entire game despite a torn Record: 18-8-1, one Big Ten by Hayes’ mid-1970s powerhous- Jim Tressel. championship, one national cham- A warrior as a nose guard for pectoral muscle. es. The end for Bruce came after Not taken in the 1997 NFL pionship a three-game losing streak late in the Buckeyes in the mid-1990s The departure: Brown made a and a firebrand as a lineback- draft, he signed as a free agent 1987, capped by a loss to Iowa in with New Orleans but never national name for himself by lead- which the Hawkeyes scored the ers coach the past few years, ing the Buckeyes to the 1942 na- the 37-year-old Fickell had been played. He spent a year on the winning touchdown on a fourth- injured-reserve list before be- tional title; the next year his “Ba- and-23 play in the final seconds. named assistant head coach in by Bucks” team was decimated be- March. He also had been ap- Associated Press ing released. Bruce was fired two days later. Fickell graduated in 1997 cause of a shortage of players owing pointed the interim coach for Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel, right, to World War II. John Cooper what was expected to be a five- and, in 1999, was named a Years at OSU: 1988-2000 walks away as assistant head coach Luke graduate assistant coach by After that season, game suspension for Tressel to Fickell, left, looks over a list of plays dur- at 35, Brown was Record: 111-43-4, three Big Ten start the 2011 season. coach John Cooper. The next ing the first day of 2011 spring practice. still young enough championships Neither Fickell nor OSU ath- year, Fickell was hired by Ak- to be drafted in- The departure: Dogged by his re- letic director Gene Smith was ron as its defensive line coach. to the service. He cord against Michigan (2-10-1) and available for comment. In 2002, Tressel, in his sec- accepted a com- in bowl games (3- Certainly, it suddenly is a coaching staff to lead our young men ond year with the Buckeyes, mission as a Na- 8), Cooper wouldn’t much bigger situation for Fickell. He through the first five games this fall,” brought Fickell back as special teams vy lieutenant and have lasted as long has no head coaching experience, Smith said then. “I have confidence coach. Fickell moved to linebackers became coach of as he did with- and now he’s taken the reins of a pro- our entire football family will work coach in 2004 and a season later was the football team out some perfectly gram under intense NCAA scrutiny. together to maintain our standard of elevated to co-defensive coordinator at the Great Lakes Naval Train- timed wins — 1994 Fickell will lead a team that will be excellence.” with . He became assis- ing Center, with the idea among and 1998 against without five of its primary players “” Whether Fickell is ready for the tant head coach when all parties that he would return to Michigan and the quarterback , running full-time role is uncertain. But his was hired to coach Kent State. OSU after the war. Instead, in Feb- 1997 Rose Bowl vic- back Daniel Herron, receiver DeVi- athletic background shows he is a Now, Fickell is the man in charge. ruary 1945, Brown signed a con- tory over Arizona er Posey, left tackle Mike Adams competitor. He indicated in March that he had tract with Cleveland businessman State. But Cooper’s luck ran out as and defensive end Solomon Thom- At DeSales High School, Fick- learned much from nearly a decade Arthur “Mickey” McBride to coach the new century arrived. His play- as “” through the first five games for ell was a three-time state wrestling working under Tressel. the team that would become the ers were running afoul of the law NCAA violations related to their sell- champion, winning 108 matches as “As a coach, from the time we . and the Buckeyes still weren’t win- ing and trading of memorabilia for a heavyweight without a loss in his walked into Ohio State or our first ning the big games. The last straw discounted tattoos. last three seasons. He also was an coaching job, we’re always watching was an undisciplined loss to South In announcing the promotion in all-star football player, signing with and learning,” Fickell said. “That’s Years at OSU: 1944-45 Carolina in the 2001 Outback Bowl. March, Smith praised Fickell’s com- Ohio State in 1992. the great thing about being here: Record: 16-2, one Big Ten cham- Cooper was fired the next day. mitment to the Buckeyes. After a redshirt season, he started having the ability to watch and learn pionship “We have great trust and belief in a school-record 50 straight games in from one of the best.” Luke’s ability to work with our entire the next four years, from 1993 to 1996. THE BLADE: TOLEDO, OHIO ■ TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011 eblade special SECTION E, PAGE E3 Ohio State faces uncertain future By Jill Riepenhoff and The suspension contributed to a Dec. 23 that quarterback Terrelle Mike Wagner loss to Illinois. Pryor, running back Daniel Her- COLUMBUS DISPATCH Since then, at least two dozen ron, receiver DeVier Posey, line- COLUMBUS — Beaten down by other players and recruits have man Mike Adams and defensive more than a decade of disappoint- been arrested. end Solomon Thomas would sit ments in big-time football games Some were sent to Tressel’s dog- out the first five games of the 2011 and off-the-field embarrassments, house; others just disappeared season but, thanks to the NCAA, the faithful from campus. play in the upcoming Sugar Bowl. soaked up the message as if it were Many fans excused Tressel The decision outraged many a Sunday sermon: from blame because they said he college football fans — here and “I can assure you that you’ll be couldn’t monitor the behavior of nationwide — who thought the proud of our young people in the 19- and 20-year-old kids 24 hours players should have been sus- classroom, in the community and, a day, seven days a week. pended from the , as most especially, in 310 days in Ann But it was the NCAA trouble well. Arbor, Mich.” that began in 2003 with running In an attempt to tip the scales of His newfound followers cheered. back that helped public opinion, Tressel announced They clapped. But most of all, they secure Tressel’s nickname of “Sen- days before the game that he had wanted to believe. ator” because of his ability to keep made the players promise to re- In the decade since Jim Tressel his players” problems from tar- turn next season and serve their made that bold statement on Jan. nishing his image and because of punishment instead of bolting for 18, 2001, the day he was hired as his knack of saying little with a lot the NFL. Ohio State’s football coach, Buck- of words. All the while, though, Tres- eye fans at times have beamed The NCAA and Ohio State sus- sel was keeping a secret from his with pride for things that have pended Clarett, a freshman phe- OSU bosses: He knew in April that happened off the field. nom who played a major role in those players had sold memo- Tressel instilled a sense of Buck- securing Tressel’s only OSU na- rabilia in exchange for tattoos eye pride among his players. They tional championship. Investiga- and cash. Those transactions are were required to learn and sing tors accused Clarett of accepting NCAA rules violations that render Ohio State’s alma mater, “Carmen thousands of dollars worth of ex- an athlete ineligible to compete, Ohio,” and memorize the names tra benefits. and Tressel knew that, too. and hometowns of every team- He never played another down Even when it found that out, mate. They paraded to games at of football for OSU, but Tressel re- OSU stood by Tressel, although it Ohio Stadium in dress shirts with mained loyal to his one-time star. suspended him for the first two ties or suits. After Clarett’s release from prison games of the upcoming season. Tressel preached the value of an Associated Press for weapons crimes last year, Tres- Tressel eventually upped his sus- education. The team’s academic Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, left, is flanked by athletic sel urged a judge to allow him to pension to match that of his play- score now is the fifth best in the director Gene Smith during a news conference Tuesday, March lift a probation term that prevent- ers — five games. country among schools that play 8, 2011, in Columbus. ed him from leaving the state for a “Throughout this entire situa- in the Football Bowl Subdivision, football tryout. tion, my players and I have com- according to NCAA data released The year after Clarett’s prob- mitted ourselves to facing our this month. OSU trails Northwest- for being successful. It sold well, lation first was reported. lems, quarterback mistakes and growing from them; ern, Rutgers, Northern Illinois, landing at No. 3 on the New York One area in which Tressel be- found himself on the sidelines we can only successfully do that and Duke. Times bestseller list among advice came more involved as time went with an NCAA suspension for ac- together,” Tressel said in a state- He and his wife, Ellen, have giv- books. on was helping the U.S. military. cepting cash from a booster. ment in March. en generously in time and money Tressel also made his players He reached out to service men Two years later, Tressel choked Bit by bit, though, the depth of to the OSU, Youngstown State and read a book each summer and and women, issuing open invita- back his emotions as the once- the coverup became public. Tres- central Ohio communities. They then write a book report during tions for them to attend practices, scandalized athlete accepted the sel had talked about the situation were co-chairmen of fundraising preseason camp. One year, it was or even providing them tickets to . to a Columbus lawyer, Pryor’s for the OSU library expansion and about developing into a leader. games. “It was such a special night, mentor and an FBI agent. He had contributed $100,000 to the cause. Another year, it was about Navy In June 2009, Tressel joined oth- when you think about all that Troy forwarded emails. Possibly the They’ve visited the sick and in- SEALS training. Most recently, er coaches in visiting the Middle has gone through and what this most egregious action was his jured. the players studied World War II, East to spread cheer among the means to he and his teammates having signed an NCAA compli- Back when he first became a because the 1942 OSU national military. He was profoundly af- and Ohio State, and it’s just a great ance form affirming that he knew head coach, at Youngstown in championship team was to be fected. reminder how blessed we are to of no violations. 1986, Tressel began compiling honored during the 2010 season. “It humbled you to think how work with him,” Tressel said that The program now faces an un- quotes, motivational sayings, po- He was serious about being unselfish these men and women night. certain future, with NCAA sanc- ems — anything that struck him well-rounded, despite the un- are,” said Tressel, who last season Tressel escaped both scandals tions a near-certainty. Ohio State as useful in guiding his players to counted hours he spent in the was honored by the Ohio Nation- with his integrity intact in the eyes must appear before the associa- reach their potential, on and off football office. al Guard with its Patrick Henry of his bosses at Ohio State: then- tion’s infractions committee in the field. That motivational- ma “I think we have a good per- Award. athletic director Andy Geiger, who August. If he wants to coach at an terial eventually became one of spective of where football is in our It was in the context of all that hired him, and then-OSU presi- NCAA school again, Tressel will his signature teaching tools — a whole scheme of things,” Tressel good that OSU president E. Gor- dent Karen Holbrook. have to be there, too. loose-leaf binder that every one said in 2009. “It’s our passion — it’s don Gee said of Tressel this year, But his image took a direct and In a video statement posted by of his players was given and had what we love to do — but it’s not “His integrity and the body of his ultimately fatal hit last Decem- OSU on YouTube yesterday, ath- to read. who we are.” work is quite remarkable.” ber, when the U.S. Department letic director Gene Smith thanked He called it the “Winners Man- In February, the publishing But his decade-long tenure at of Justice informed the university Tressel for “his long service to ual” and, in 2008, it was converted company released a smaller, re- Ohio State also was pocked with that federal agents had recovered our university. There were a lot of into a book. Tressel donated all packaged version of the Winner’s off-the-field issues. OSU football memorabilia during people that he touched in a highly of the profits to the OSU library Manual, called Life Promises for During his first season, Tressel a raid at a suspected drug dealer’s positive way.” fund. Success: Promises from God. Tres- suspended after the house. Dispatch reporter Ken Gordon The book was overtly spiritual, sel was conducting a book signing starting quarterback was arrested That tip led to an 11-day in- contributed to this story. filled with Bible quotes, and con- on March 7 in a Columbus grocery for drunken driving. “This can be vestigation by Ohio State that re- tained his “Big Ten” fundamentals store when news of his NCAA vio- a good life lesson,” Tressel said. sulted in the announcement on Tressel restored glory to Buckeyes

By Tim May January might have been his last flip down to the conservative run- COLUMBUS DISPATCH major college game. it-down-their-throat-or-punt seg- COLUMBUS — Late on Jan. He walked out of the Super- ment of the play sheet. 3, 2003, coach Jim Tressel stood dome that January night in New Having a stout running game on the portable awards stand in Orleans with a 241-79-2 record in was at the heart of his philoso- the middle of Sun Devil Stadium his 25-year career, making him the phy because in Big Ten country it in Tempe, Ariz. His second Ohio second-winningest active coach served the team well in cold No- State team had just upset the Mi- in major college football behind vembers and usually meant the ami for college football’s national Penn State’s (401-135- defense wasn’t put in jeopardy. He championship, OSU’s first since 3). Tressel was 135-57-2 in 15 sea- often said he had little to do with 1968. sons at Youngstown State, part of the defense, leaving it up to his In the midst of the postgame the Football Championship Sub- coordinators, who included Mark bedlam, Tressel held the Bowl division, and 106-22 at Ohio State. Dantonio, now the head coach at Championship Series crystal foot- Tressel won four national titles Michigan State, the first few years ball in his hands while Buckeye at YSU, and his team played for it and Jim Heacock the past six sea- Nation rejoiced at his feet. two other times. That’s the main sons. “We have always had the best reason OSU came calling after “Get lined up right, and play damn band in the land,” Tressel then-athletic director Andy Geiger fast” was Tressel’s primary mes- bellowed over the stadium’s pub- fired Cooper following the Out- sage to his defensive coaches, lic-address system. “Now we have back Bowl loss to South Carolina meaning he wanted a unit that the best damn team in the land.” on Jan. 1, 2001. was sound and always ran to the In less than two years on the job, Tressel didn’t turn the ship ball. That was the hallmark of most Tressel had rustled the Buckeyes around immediately. His 2001 OSU defenses the past 10 years. from the doldrums of the final two team went 7-5, also losing to South But what baffled those who seasons of coach John Cooper’s Carolina in the Outback. But the Associated Press watched and even played for the tenure. Buckeyes built some late-season Buckeyes was the way Tressel tin- OSU coach Jim Tressel holds the championship trophy after the Cooper had gone 2-10-1 against momentum on the strength of a kered with the offense regularly. rival Michigan in his 13 seasons 26-20 upset win at Michigan and a Buckeyes beat Miami 31-24 to win the Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 3, 2003. Though held the title and flirted with but failed to land 31-28 loss to the Gamecocks in the of offensive coordinator, Tressel a national championship in the bowl, a game in which OSU trailed primarily called the plays. And sel’s career, a 41-14 loss at the sel had lost his postseason edge, last three of those seasons. Tres- 28-0 in the third quarter. through all 10 years, those on the hands of Florida in Glendale, Ariz. dropping three straight to Florida, sel already had matched that win The momentum carried through inside said Tressel was known for Smith — after leading his team LSU and Texas (in the Fiesta Bowl total over Michigan in his first two the recruiting season as the Buck- bringing in a batch of new tricks to the “game of the century” win after the 2008 season), his teams years, and in his hands that night eyes reeled in the No. 2-ranked from week to week to be run or over No. 2 Michigan and then win- rebounded to beat Arkansas in the he held the grand prize. class in the nation for 2002, which thrown from sometimes odd for- ning the Heisman Trophy — and Sugar. On the field, there was no doubt included running back Maurice mations. the OSU offense were all but no- Among many Ohio State fans, about it: Tressel was getting the Clarett. Tressel Ball or not, the Smith- shows against the Gators. however, the winning was only job done. OSU had just become The stage was set for the magi- led Ohio State offense in 2005 and The next season, the Buckeyes half the battle. As the years went the first major college team to go cal run to the 2002 national title, 2006 was as consistently potent were outscored 38-24 by Louisi- on, Tressel became a popular 14-0 in one season. It was the ac- led by quarterback as any in the country. It was fore- ana State in the 2007 title game, target among fans who did not celeration point of the winningest and a stout defense and capped cast to be that way again when the casting doubt on whether Tres- appreciate his “Tressel Ball” ap- 10-year run in Ohio State football by the double-overtime win over Buckeyes landed quarterback Ter- sel could win the really big game proach. Some cursed his seeming history. Miami in the Fiesta. relle Pryor, the No. 1 overall pros- again. timidity when it came time to ren- How tarnished that golden age OSU returned to the Fiesta Bowl pect in the country, in 2008. But in his own Big Ten backyard, der the killer blow. now will become remains to be the following year, beating Kan- Instead, the past two years the Tressel dominated. In 10 seasons, It last reared its ugly head in the seen in the wake of Tressel’s unex- sas State, but the next season the Buckeyes only flirted with a run his OSU teams won or shared second half of the win over Ar- pected resignation, one that was Buckeyes suffered on-field hic- at the national title, though they seven Big Ten titles, including the kansas. After taking a big lead, the encouraged by university officials. cups for the first time. Ohio State did get the postseason monkey league record-tying streak of six Buckeyes wound up in a fight for It also remains to be seen lost its first three Big Ten games, off their backs with Pryor-led wins through last year, matching the their lives, escaping with the 31-26 whether OSU will have to vacate including a loss to Northwestern over Oregon and Arkansas. mark set by Woody Hayes” Ohio victory only after a late intercep- some or all of the wins from the for the first time since 1971. The 2011 season had promised State teams from 1972-77. tion by defensive end Solomon 2010 season, in which the Buck- But the Buckeyes rallied at the to present Tressel with his great- During Tressel’s 10-year reign, Thomas — following a punt block eyes went 12-1 using players who end of the year behind quarter- est test in coaching. Not only was he owned “The Game” like no oth- by Arkansas — saved the day. were later deemed to have broken back Troy Smith to upset Michi- he going to be suspended for the er OSU coach, going 9-1 against But that’s part of what Tressel NCAA rules — something Tressel gan and win the to first five games after admitting to Michigan. was as a coach. The day he took paved the way for as early as April finish 8-4, despite Smith’s suspen- his NCAA violation, so were Pryor That helped explain why they the job, he proclaimed that “the 2010. Tressel and OSU officials are sion from the bowl and the 2005 and running back Daniel Herron, were almost always in line for an most important play in football is scheduled to go before the NCAA opener for accepting $500 from a receiver DeVier Posey, offensive invitation to a Bowl Championship the punt,” taking a page from the committee on infractions Aug. 12, booster. tackle Mike Adams and Thomas. Series game at regular season’s book written by John Wilce, the after which further penalties could Tressel went on to guide Ohio Team insiders talked about how end. While the Buckeyes went 6-4 first great OSU coach. be assessed. State to two more national cham- Tressel actually relished the chal- in bowls overall under Tressel, they Critics never took wholeheart- Regardless, Tressel’s reputation pionship games — after the 2006 lenge, much as he readied Kren- were 5-3 in BCS games, including edly to Tressel’s approach on of- and career have taken a massive and ’07 seasons — and lost both. zel, then an inexperienced sopho- 1-2 in the national-championship fense. Still, when his team had the hit, to the point that the Buckeyes’ The first might have been the more, for his first collegiate start matches. lead midway through the third win over Southeastern Conference most humiliating defeat in Tres- in the 2001 Michigan game. foe Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl in And just when it seemed Tres- quarter of games, he usually did SECTION E, PAGE E4 eblade special THE BLADE: TOLEDO, OHIO ■ TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011 Transcript of AD’s video on Tressel resignation ASSOCIATED PRESS COLUMBUS — The text of Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith’s video provided by the university Monday in the wake of head football coach Jim Tressel’s resignation: “Buckeye Nation, by now you have news that our head foot- ball coach, Jim Tressel, has de- cided to resign. We announced it this morning. “I want you to know that last night, Sunday night, when Jim returned from his vacation, he and I sat down for a while and talked about the state of our program. It was at that time that he decided to resign. We met again this morning in his office and chatted some more and he submitted his formal letter of resignation. We did meet with part of the team this morning. Those who were not there, they were contacted by their posi- tion coaches. But coach Tressel did what we all knew he would do. He did an eloquent job of ex- plaining to the young men what transition really means and what they really needed to focus on. So he met with the team and exited. “Prior to the team meeting I did meet with the coaching staff and the support staff around Associated Press our football program and shared with them that Jim had decided Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) lead the Buckeyes in singing ‘Carmen Ohio,’ the school’s alma to resign. But prior to that I met mater after defeating Michigan 37-7 last year in Columbus. Tressel had a 9-1 record against the rival Wolverines. with Luke Fickell and asked him to be our interim head football coach through the 2011 season, which he agreed to do. So when we met with the team, Luke Players , fans still support Tressel had an op-

portunity to Associated Press share some COLUMBUS — As others labeled things with him a cheater and liar, Ohio State the team fans stood by Jim Tressel on Mon- and he did day as the coach resigned amid an an excellent NCAA investigation into the football Smith job of talk- program. ing about A red spray-painted “Tressel til I the things that are important. die” banner hung over a porch near “This happens to be finals campus, and members of “Buck- week. They obviously need to eye Nation” on Twitter continued focus on finishing their classes, to sing praises for the coach who led which is really what we’re all the team to a national champion- about — making sure they get ship and lost to rival Michigan only their education and their de- once in his 10 years at the helm of the grees. We are coming off of a Buckeyes. time frame where our football Ohio State announced the resig- program achieved its highest nation as the athletic department academic rating ever. So we’re approaches an Aug. 12 date with proud of that accomplishment the NCAA’s infractions committee of those young men and we over several possible rules viola- want to stay on that trajectory tions stemming from players selling and Luke and this staff are com- memorabilia to the owner of a local mitted to surrounding them tattoo shop. with the support that they need Buckeyes fans and players imme- to make sure they stay focused diately came to Tressel’s defense. in that regard. Starting linebacker Andrew Sweat “As you all know, we are un- tweeted, “You have done a tremen- der NCAA investigation. We will dous amount for us as football play- not discuss any of the matters ers but more importantly develop- Associated Press around that case or any further ing us as men.” Former tight end Jake accusations that may emerge. Ballard called Tressel “one of the Ohio State students Matt Parker, left, and Curt Stine hang a sign on their porch near campus, in We will do what we always do. best human beings I have ever met” support of Ohio State coach Jim Tressel We respond to them, we collab- and said “all he ever did was care and orate with the NCAA and try and help people.” find the truth. Students on campus also rallied “I do want to thank coach around their former coach. Students react to football without Tressel Tressel for his long service to Matt Parker and Curt Stine, who our university. There were a lot graduate this spring, heard honks By Collin Binkley going to be,” said Michele Brizgys, ... dealing with that right now. I of people that he touched in a from passing motorists and words of COLUMBUS DISPATCH 20, a sophomore studying chemi- think it’s pretty much a nation- highly positive way. We’re very support from pedestrians after they COLUMBUS — Ohio State cal engineering. “I don’t want to wide problem. He’s just the only thankful for his leadership dur- turned a white blanket into their University junior Eilen Liu had pay to see them lose.” one who got caught,” said Mike ing the years that we had great “Tressel til I die” banner and hung it planned to buy football tickets for News of the coach’s resignation Perko, 21, a junior studying strate- success on the field and off it. above their porch. her senior year. Singing the school traveled quickly around campus gic communication. But more importantly, in the “A lot of the students here love songs and rooting on the team for yesterday. The announcement’s timing classroom.” Tressel because of all the winning the last time as a student is almost Dan Ebert, a 26-year-old gradu- was a sore spot for some fans we’ve done recently, especially beat- a rite of passage. ate student in mechanical en- roaming campus yesterday. ing Michigan,” said Parker, a politi- But her optimism in the team’s gineering, was surprised by the Jim Hettinger was celebrating cal science major planning to attend future — and her eagerness to email OSU President E. Gordon his 63rd birthday yesterday with law school at the University at Buf- open her wallet — faded yester- Gee sent announcing the resigna- a walk around campus with his Inevitable falo. day when Jim Tressel resigned as tion. sister, Barb. Both call themselves Continued from Page e1 Parker, 22, said he wasn’t sur- coach. “I thought he would be able to Buckeye fans. championship. prised by the resignation itself, but “I kind of changed my plans,” stay on for this year and maybe be Once a year, he visits from San “It’s very important for us Buck- by its timing, about three months said Liu, 21, a junior human re- able to resign after the year,” he Diego and takes a walk around eye fans and alumni to remember after Ohio State president E. Gor- sources major. “I just don’t think said. “I didn’t expect to wake up campus. all of the great things that he did don Gee and athletic director Gene it would be as exciting. Part of the today and find that out.” Jim Hettinger also is a Navy and the positive impact he and his Smith had expressed their support reason to go see it is Tressel and Many students seemed to have veteran who served in Vietnam. players have had on the communi- for the coach. his vest.” mixed feelings about the news. Both siblings said they were dis- ty over the last 10 years,” said Craig “I figured he was our coach and Other students say they, too, Some remembered how Tressel appointed that the university an- Krenzel, who was the quarterback we were going to fight through it are rethinking plans to buy tickets revitalized the football program. nounced the news on a day re- on the 2002 team. with him,” said Stine, 21, a political when they go on sale this week. “But he did break the rules,” served to honor those who have Replacing Tressel on an interim science major and logistics manager Without Tressel in command, said Steven Friedberg. 18, a fresh- died in military service. basis will be defensive coordina- for UPS. “I don’t think it was his deci- students say, they might not be man civil engineering student. “It “I think they could have waited tor Luke Fickell. Fickell, 37, grew sion so much as the athletic depart- so quick to plunk down $170 for a was a pretty serious thing.” a day,” Barb Hettinger said. “In my up in Columbus and played for the ment putting pressure.” package of five home games. Other students weren’t so quick estimation, that was a bad call.” Buckeyes from 1992-96. In March, Ohio State announced it “Now that Tressel’s gone, I don’t to pass judgment. Dispatch sports reporter Tom OSU officials will not begin re- had suspended Tressel for two games know how good this new coach is “I don’t think he’s the only coach Reed contributed to this story. cruitment of a new coach until and fined him $250,000 for failing to the conclusion of the 2011 season. report what he knew about players free safety at Ohio State, issued a 29, a real estate agent in Columbus. tion, by separating the coach from Many fans have clamored for Ur- receiving improper benefits from the statement calling Tressel “an out- “It’s like the end of era.” the school, helps the university as ban Meyer, the two-time national tattoo-parlor owner. The suspension standing football coach and a good Cobb grew up in Youngstown it heads into the NCAA infraction champion coach who was once a was later increased to five games, the man.” watching Tressel coach the Pen- hearing. He said he hopes Ohio state graduate assistant at OSU. Mey- same punishment given five players “I’ve followed and respected his guins and said he “always put his doesn’t see players transferring, er, who resigned from Florida af- who sold memorabilia, including career since his days at Youngstown players first,” withdrawing commitments or play- ter the 2010 season, plans to take star quarterback Terrelle Pryor. State, and through his tremendous “It’s like he sacrificed himself for ing for rivals. this season off from coaching and “Coach Jim Tressel has made posi- success at Ohio State the past de- his players,” she said. “He wants to “If we lose some of our top recruits serve as an analyst for ESPN. Prior tive contributions to Ohio State and cade,” he said. “He will be missed in make sure his players have a good from Michigan,” he said, “that would to Florida, he was the head coach its student athletes during his ten- college football.” career after all this over with.” be the worst thing I think.” at Bowling Green and Utah. ure,” Big Ten commissioner Jim Dela- Alumni who rang in to support the Ohio State said linebackers coach But the beat goes on for Ohio State Lifelong Ohio State fan Demian ny wrote in a statement on Monday. coach were surprised by the resigna- Luke Fickell will serve as inter- officials, who still have to prepare to Browning of Sylvania views Tres- “He has also acknowledged making tion. im coach for the 2011 season and a go before the NCAA in August. sel’s resignation as a minor set back a serious mistake and his resigna- “I was completely shocked and search for a Tressel replacement will “Since Ohio State discovered and to one of the nation’s most prolific tion today is an indication that se- saddened by it,” said Eddie Langh- start after the season. Fickell already received information indicating college football programs. rious mistakes have serious conse- enry, a 2008 graduate in sports and had been selected to be the interim possible violations in its football pro- “[Ohio State] will still win,” he quences.” leisure studies who grew up in Cleve- coach while Tressel served the five- gram in December 2010, it has con- said. Tressel, 58, had a record of 106-22- land. “I wouldn’t deny he did some- game suspension. sistently reported the information in Gary Hollon of Sylvania said he 0 in 10 years at Ohio State. He led the thing wrong, but thought he was go- Langhenry, 25, said he believes a timely and collaborative way to the thought the situation could have Buckeyes to a national champion- ing to serve his penalty and coach Ohio State will still be among the top NCAA,” Delany said. “The Big Ten been handled differently. ship and eight Bowl Championship through it.” college football teams in the coun- Conference regards this approach “I hate to see him go the way he Series games. Prior to taking over the Tamieka Cobb, a 2003 graduate, try. as fundamental and necessary and did,” Hollon said. Buckeyes, he had a 135-57-2 record in 15 years at Youngstown State. said she “immediately just stopped” “It’s Ohio State. They’ll be fine,” has confidence that Ohio State will when she heard about the resigna- he said. “They’ll take it. They’ll re- continue in this manner with regard Blade staff writer Taylor Dungjen Nebraska coach , who tion. cover.” to any newly discovered or reported contributed to this report. grew up in Youngstown and played “I couldn’t believe it,” said Cobb, Parker said he hopes the resigna- information.”