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LGHL ‘What if’ Jim Tressel never resigned?
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‘What if’ Jim Tressel never resigned?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images
‘The Vest’ left Ohio State under unfortunate circumstances. But what if things had gone differently, allowing Tressel to exit on his own terms?
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about asking “What If?”. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ‘What If?’ articles here.
On May 30, 2011, as a result of the infamous TatooGate scandal, Jim Tressel resigned from his head coach position at The Ohio State University. Long story short, it was determined that Tressel had been less than forthcoming with his knowledge of unpaid college athletes (his players) exchanging autographs and memorabilia – related to their name, image, and/or likeness(es) – for tattoos...
Shameful! And for those egregious and malicious actions, he deserved a punishment more severe than some handed out to other coaches who had willingly turned a blind eye to much, much worse.
In reality, Tressel’s ‘crimes’ were minor and laughable now, especially considering the current NCAA environment. But rules is rules, I guess, and The Vest broke them. As a result, the third-winningest coach in Ohio State football history was forced to resign, tarnishing an otherwise tremendous legacy.
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Photo by Gene Lower/Getty Images
Since Tressel’s resignation, he has moved on to administrative roles, recently retiring as the president of Youngstown State University. But something tells me that we have not heard the last of this coach-turned-president, because teaching, leading, and mentoring seem to be of the utmost importance to Tressel. Those things – the ability, empathy, and/or desire to help others – they’re in his bones, his very nature. So I have a hunch that his story is not yet (fully) written.
But what if Tressel’s story was just different? What if he never resigned as head coach of the Buckeyes, and instead chose to force the hand(s) of others? Would he have been fired anyway? Would a harsh, season-long penalty have been levied against him? Ultimately, we will never know. But I have a few guesses as to how things would have (or could have) played out.
Regardless of how hard Tressel fought or argued, he was always going to be in hot water. His actions, while far from deplorable, were deliberate. He misremembered certain things, failed to share pertinent information, and essentially made a bad situation worse. But if he had continued to fall on the sword, and then pushed for a harsher, non-termination penalty, I believe that he could have remained at Ohio State and continued his coaching career... at some point.
Because let’s be honest here: Plenty of coaches have done worse and (still) stuck around for a long, long time, despite their seedy behavior. Hell, some coaches have made a living out of toeing the proverbial line, crossing it constantly but never making a huge, obvious leap to the punishable side. Tressel was squeaky clean to this point in his career. He was respected and revered as a man, a coach, and a leader, without a past blemish on his resume. Sure, his actions throughout TattooGate were difficult to defend, but his character was not.
So what if Tressel does not back down and instead decides to ‘fight the power’ in a nod to Chuck D? As I said earlier, I believe that the coach of the 2002 national champions could have retained his job. It may have led to a messy situation with lawyers and whatnot involved, but were Tressel’s actions any worse or any more deserving of termination than those of other past offenders? I think not. Instead, I think that Tressel had a legitimate leg to stand on.
Say he (The Vest, The Senator) does pursue legal action and eventually accepts a six-game suspension... Then what happens? Or what if, right? In this hypothetical scenario, I think Tressel would have stuck around Columbus for a few more seasons, experiencing success but ultimately coming up short in his and the Buckeyes’ pursuit of another championship.
Because the game, especially on offense, had begun to evolve beyond what he preferred and what he was used to. ‘Tressel ball’ would have become dated and archaic. To reach another level, OSU needed speed, style, and innovation, which is what Urban Meyer eventually brought to Columbus. And speaking of...
What happens with Meyer and others if Tressel sticks around for a bit longer? Well, what if I tell you that I think things play out very similarly!? It might sound crazy, but consider this: Tressel was in his late fifties when he resigned. He had spent a decade at Ohio State, recently lost three consecutive bowl games (including back-to-back title games), and was involved in TattooGate.
So who’s to say Gene Smith and THE university are not ready to move on a year or two, or three, after the scandal? Guess who would theoretically be available around this time... That’s right, Urban Meyer! The former Florida Gators coach came out of early retirement to take the OSU job in 2012, but was previously thought to be perfectly content at ESPN.
In this sliding glass door scenario, Tressel could have retired after 2012 season and still given Meyer one full season to acclimate in Columbus. He only needed two before winning the 2014 national championship.
Another possibility is that Tressel remains at Ohio State for a handful of years, before deciding to hang it up in 2014 or 2015. By that time, Meyer is probably elsewhere. Or he is beyond comfortable at ESPN and five or six years removed from coaching. Then what does the post-Tressel era look like? I think the answer is clear and obvious.
In this scenario, Luke Fickell officially succeeds Tressel and is probably still coaching the Buckeyes today. I truly believe that. Because Fickell was and always will be a Buckeye. He bleeds scarlet and gray. And he stuck around until the end of 2016, likely waiting for his dream job to come available.
But the stars never aligned, and he became a coaching star elsewhere. If the former defensive coordinator and linebackers coach had received an opportunity in Columbus – without the shadow of a scandal hanging over OSU – then I have no doubt in my mind that he would have been successful under different circumstances.
Which means what for Tressel — again, in this last scenario? Well, how does Ohio State Athletic Director Jim Tressel sound? Perhaps another hair-brained idea from yours truly, but we watched him transition to admin life. Quite seamlessly, in fact. Gene Smith has been great as the (current) AD, but maybe he would have decided to pass the baton to Tressel and pursue other opportunities once The Vest was ready for “civilian life”. I guess we will never know.
And that is the point here, right? Asking what if but knowing the question lacks a real answer. That impossibility (of coming up with a definitive answer) is what makes this exercise fun! You or I could go in any direction, using our wildest imagination, and nobody gets to say we’re wrong!
So although we will never know or find out the alternate ending to Jim Tressel’s Ohio State story, I choose to believe it would have been a good one... Or a better one, at least.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images
‘The Vest’ left Ohio State under unfortunate circumstances. But what if things had gone differently, allowing Tressel to exit on his own terms?
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about asking “What If?”. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ‘What If?’ articles here.
On May 30, 2011, as a result of the infamous TatooGate scandal, Jim Tressel resigned from his head coach position at The Ohio State University. Long story short, it was determined that Tressel had been less than forthcoming with his knowledge of unpaid college athletes (his players) exchanging autographs and memorabilia – related to their name, image, and/or likeness(es) – for tattoos...
Shameful! And for those egregious and malicious actions, he deserved a punishment more severe than some handed out to other coaches who had willingly turned a blind eye to much, much worse.
In reality, Tressel’s ‘crimes’ were minor and laughable now, especially considering the current NCAA environment. But rules is rules, I guess, and The Vest broke them. As a result, the third-winningest coach in Ohio State football history was forced to resign, tarnishing an otherwise tremendous legacy.
Since Tressel’s resignation, he has moved on to administrative roles, recently retiring as the president of Youngstown State University. But something tells me that we have not heard the last of this coach-turned-president, because teaching, leading, and mentoring seem to be of the utmost importance to Tressel. Those things – the ability, empathy, and/or desire to help others – they’re in his bones, his very nature. So I have a hunch that his story is not yet (fully) written.
But what if Tressel’s story was just different? What if he never resigned as head coach of the Buckeyes, and instead chose to force the hand(s) of others? Would he have been fired anyway? Would a harsh, season-long penalty have been levied against him? Ultimately, we will never know. But I have a few guesses as to how things would have (or could have) played out.
Regardless of how hard Tressel fought or argued, he was always going to be in hot water. His actions, while far from deplorable, were deliberate. He misremembered certain things, failed to share pertinent information, and essentially made a bad situation worse. But if he had continued to fall on the sword, and then pushed for a harsher, non-termination penalty, I believe that he could have remained at Ohio State and continued his coaching career... at some point.
Because let’s be honest here: Plenty of coaches have done worse and (still) stuck around for a long, long time, despite their seedy behavior. Hell, some coaches have made a living out of toeing the proverbial line, crossing it constantly but never making a huge, obvious leap to the punishable side. Tressel was squeaky clean to this point in his career. He was respected and revered as a man, a coach, and a leader, without a past blemish on his resume. Sure, his actions throughout TattooGate were difficult to defend, but his character was not.
So what if Tressel does not back down and instead decides to ‘fight the power’ in a nod to Chuck D? As I said earlier, I believe that the coach of the 2002 national champions could have retained his job. It may have led to a messy situation with lawyers and whatnot involved, but were Tressel’s actions any worse or any more deserving of termination than those of other past offenders? I think not. Instead, I think that Tressel had a legitimate leg to stand on.
Say he (The Vest, The Senator) does pursue legal action and eventually accepts a six-game suspension... Then what happens? Or what if, right? In this hypothetical scenario, I think Tressel would have stuck around Columbus for a few more seasons, experiencing success but ultimately coming up short in his and the Buckeyes’ pursuit of another championship.
Because the game, especially on offense, had begun to evolve beyond what he preferred and what he was used to. ‘Tressel ball’ would have become dated and archaic. To reach another level, OSU needed speed, style, and innovation, which is what Urban Meyer eventually brought to Columbus. And speaking of...
What happens with Meyer and others if Tressel sticks around for a bit longer? Well, what if I tell you that I think things play out very similarly!? It might sound crazy, but consider this: Tressel was in his late fifties when he resigned. He had spent a decade at Ohio State, recently lost three consecutive bowl games (including back-to-back title games), and was involved in TattooGate.
So who’s to say Gene Smith and THE university are not ready to move on a year or two, or three, after the scandal? Guess who would theoretically be available around this time... That’s right, Urban Meyer! The former Florida Gators coach came out of early retirement to take the OSU job in 2012, but was previously thought to be perfectly content at ESPN.
In this sliding glass door scenario, Tressel could have retired after 2012 season and still given Meyer one full season to acclimate in Columbus. He only needed two before winning the 2014 national championship.
Another possibility is that Tressel remains at Ohio State for a handful of years, before deciding to hang it up in 2014 or 2015. By that time, Meyer is probably elsewhere. Or he is beyond comfortable at ESPN and five or six years removed from coaching. Then what does the post-Tressel era look like? I think the answer is clear and obvious.
In this scenario, Luke Fickell officially succeeds Tressel and is probably still coaching the Buckeyes today. I truly believe that. Because Fickell was and always will be a Buckeye. He bleeds scarlet and gray. And he stuck around until the end of 2016, likely waiting for his dream job to come available.
But the stars never aligned, and he became a coaching star elsewhere. If the former defensive coordinator and linebackers coach had received an opportunity in Columbus – without the shadow of a scandal hanging over OSU – then I have no doubt in my mind that he would have been successful under different circumstances.
Which means what for Tressel — again, in this last scenario? Well, how does Ohio State Athletic Director Jim Tressel sound? Perhaps another hair-brained idea from yours truly, but we watched him transition to admin life. Quite seamlessly, in fact. Gene Smith has been great as the (current) AD, but maybe he would have decided to pass the baton to Tressel and pursue other opportunities once The Vest was ready for “civilian life”. I guess we will never know.
And that is the point here, right? Asking what if but knowing the question lacks a real answer. That impossibility (of coming up with a definitive answer) is what makes this exercise fun! You or I could go in any direction, using our wildest imagination, and nobody gets to say we’re wrong!
So although we will never know or find out the alternate ending to Jim Tressel’s Ohio State story, I choose to believe it would have been a good one... Or a better one, at least.
Continue reading...
LGHL I-70 Football Podcast: Instant Reaction - Reviewing the Big Ten’s Flex Protect Plus
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I-70 Football Podcast: Instant Reaction - Reviewing the Big Ten’s Flex Protect Plus
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
Dante and Jordan give their instant reaction to the Big Ten’s new scheduling model.
Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s I-70 Podcast. On this show, we talk about all things Big Ten football and basketball. After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players you should be paying attention to next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
The Big Ten announced its new scheduling model — the Flex Protect Plus — which starts in 2024. Under this new scheduling model, all 16 teams had the opportunity to protect which rivalries meant the most to their schools and their fanbases.
In this episode, Jordan and Dante discuss the new scheduling model and their likes and dislikes. Dante thinks that the schedules should have been more challenging, as outside of USC and Wisconsin the top schools got seemingly easier opponents. Is Iowa ducking smoke by choosing three rivals and less flexibility, or are they just protecting rivals for their fanbase?
The guys try and figure out why Penn State didn’t protect a rivalry, and which rivalries they wish would have protected as well. While they disagree on who has the easiest rivals for the two-year stretch, they both agree that this model is much better than the divisions and can’t wait until 2024.
Connect with us on Twitter:
Jordan: @JordanW330
Dante: @DanteM10216
Continue reading...
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
Dante and Jordan give their instant reaction to the Big Ten’s new scheduling model.
Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s I-70 Podcast. On this show, we talk about all things Big Ten football and basketball. After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players you should be paying attention to next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
The Big Ten announced its new scheduling model — the Flex Protect Plus — which starts in 2024. Under this new scheduling model, all 16 teams had the opportunity to protect which rivalries meant the most to their schools and their fanbases.
In this episode, Jordan and Dante discuss the new scheduling model and their likes and dislikes. Dante thinks that the schedules should have been more challenging, as outside of USC and Wisconsin the top schools got seemingly easier opponents. Is Iowa ducking smoke by choosing three rivals and less flexibility, or are they just protecting rivals for their fanbase?
The guys try and figure out why Penn State didn’t protect a rivalry, and which rivalries they wish would have protected as well. While they disagree on who has the easiest rivals for the two-year stretch, they both agree that this model is much better than the divisions and can’t wait until 2024.
Connect with us on Twitter:
Jordan: @JordanW330
Dante: @DanteM10216
Continue reading...
2025 FL RB Waltez Clark (Florida Signee)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
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247
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Class: 2025
Position: RB
School: Tampa(FL) Plant
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 194lbs
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Class: 2025
Position: RB
School: Tampa(FL) Plant
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 194lbs
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2025 IN DB Mark Zackery (Notre Dame Signee)
- By pnuts34
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Class: 2025
Position: DB
School: Indianapolis(IN) Ben Davis
Height: 6ft
Weight: 160lbs
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School: Indianapolis(IN) Ben Davis
Height: 6ft
Weight: 160lbs
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2026 OH CB Elbert Hill (Verbal Offer)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
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Class: 2026
Position: CB
School: Akron (OH) Hoban
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 161lbs
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Weight: 161lbs
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Brandon Bailey (Assistant BBall Coach)
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Basketball
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Chris Holtmann has made a new assistant coaching hire.
According to a report from The Columbus Dispatch, the Buckeyes have added longtime NBA assistant Brandon Bailey to their staff as a full-time assistant coach alongside Jake Diebler, Jack Owens and Mike Netti. College basketball programs were previously allotted three on-court assistant coaching positions, but an NCAA rule change will allow collegiate staffs to have up to five beginning on July 1.
Bailey began working as a video intern for the Boston Celtics in 2011 and worked his way up in the organization, eventually serving as the head coach of the Celtics' G-League affiliate team, the Maine Red Claws, during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. Bailey was then hired as an assistant coach on Brad Stevens' staff in 2019 and became an advanced scout for the franchise during the 2021-22 season.
Bailey departed from the Celtics staff ahead of this past season, which he spent on the Detroit Pistons' staff as an assistant/player development coach.
A native of Chicago, Bailey most recently worked as an assistant for the Detroit Pistons, where he was listed as an assistant/player development coach on Dwane Casey’s coaching staff for the 2022-23 season. Prior to that, Bailey had spent much of the previous decade working for the Boston Celtics, starting as a video intern in 2011 and working his way up to jobs as an assistant coach from 2019-21 and then as an advance scout in 2021-22 before leaving the organization.
He joins a coaching staff led by Chris Holtmann and featuring associate head coach Jake Diebler and full-time assistants Jack Owens and Mike Netti. The NCAA will now allow college programs to have five assistants effective July 1, giving Ohio State the ability to add him as an on-court coach.
After starting with the Celtics in 2011, Bailey was named the head coach of the team’s G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons before rejoining the Celtics and coach Brad Stevens. While with the Red Claws, Bailey coached Ohio State alumnus Dallas Lauderdale.
He brings a defensive background. His personal Twitter page features links to multiple talks and clinics he has presented on defending, an area where Ohio State has particularly struggled in recent years. Although the Buckeyes have had a top-20 team in adjusted offensive efficiency in each of the last four seasons according to KenPom.com, they have finished 82nd, 111th and 106th nationally, respectively, in each of the last three years. Last season, the Buckeyes allowed 101.6 points per 100 possessions, the highest mark allowed since the 2003-04 season.
Although teams will be allowed to have five full-time assistants, they will only be allowed to have four staff members including the head coach on the road recruiting at the same time. Bailey's job will entail a heavy focus on defense for Ohio State but will not involve on-the-road recruiting.
Chris Holtmann has made a new assistant coaching hire.
According to a report from The Columbus Dispatch, the Buckeyes have added longtime NBA assistant Brandon Bailey to their staff as a full-time assistant coach alongside Jake Diebler, Jack Owens and Mike Netti. College basketball programs were previously allotted three on-court assistant coaching positions, but an NCAA rule change will allow collegiate staffs to have up to five beginning on July 1.
Bailey began working as a video intern for the Boston Celtics in 2011 and worked his way up in the organization, eventually serving as the head coach of the Celtics' G-League affiliate team, the Maine Red Claws, during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. Bailey was then hired as an assistant coach on Brad Stevens' staff in 2019 and became an advanced scout for the franchise during the 2021-22 season.
Bailey departed from the Celtics staff ahead of this past season, which he spent on the Detroit Pistons' staff as an assistant/player development coach.
Ohio State hires longtime NBA staffer Brandon Bailey as new assistant
Brandon Bailey has spent more than a decade at the NBA level. Now, he's joining Chris Holtmann's staff at Ohio State as an assistant coach.
www.dispatch.com
Ohio State hires longtime NBA staffer Brandon Bailey as new assistant
Ohio State has hired longtime NBA assistant coach Brandon Bailey as its newest full-time men's basketball assistant.A native of Chicago, Bailey most recently worked as an assistant for the Detroit Pistons, where he was listed as an assistant/player development coach on Dwane Casey’s coaching staff for the 2022-23 season. Prior to that, Bailey had spent much of the previous decade working for the Boston Celtics, starting as a video intern in 2011 and working his way up to jobs as an assistant coach from 2019-21 and then as an advance scout in 2021-22 before leaving the organization.
He joins a coaching staff led by Chris Holtmann and featuring associate head coach Jake Diebler and full-time assistants Jack Owens and Mike Netti. The NCAA will now allow college programs to have five assistants effective July 1, giving Ohio State the ability to add him as an on-court coach.
After starting with the Celtics in 2011, Bailey was named the head coach of the team’s G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons before rejoining the Celtics and coach Brad Stevens. While with the Red Claws, Bailey coached Ohio State alumnus Dallas Lauderdale.
He brings a defensive background. His personal Twitter page features links to multiple talks and clinics he has presented on defending, an area where Ohio State has particularly struggled in recent years. Although the Buckeyes have had a top-20 team in adjusted offensive efficiency in each of the last four seasons according to KenPom.com, they have finished 82nd, 111th and 106th nationally, respectively, in each of the last three years. Last season, the Buckeyes allowed 101.6 points per 100 possessions, the highest mark allowed since the 2003-04 season.
Although teams will be allowed to have five full-time assistants, they will only be allowed to have four staff members including the head coach on the road recruiting at the same time. Bailey's job will entail a heavy focus on defense for Ohio State but will not involve on-the-road recruiting.
