Jim Tressel (National Champion, ex-President, Youngstown State University, CFB HOF)

[Buckskin86]

Spring Q&A: Ohio State's Jim Tressel
April 22, 2009
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Other than USC's Pete Carroll, no FBS head coach has dominated a league during this decade like Jim Tressel in the Big Ten. The Ohio State head coach, who enters his ninth year in Columbus, owns a 52-12 record in Big Ten play and has led the Buckeyes to at least a share of five league titles, including the last four. Tressel boasts a 7-1 record against archrival Michigan and in November became the only Ohio State coach to win five consecutive games against the Wolverines.

Matthew Emmons/US Presswire
Since arriving in Columbus, Jim Tressel owns a 52-12 record in Big Ten play.

But is it enough? Tressel continues to take heat for Ohio State's recent big-game performances, including two losses in the BCS national title game, three consecutive BCS bowl losses and a blowout loss at USC in September. His offensive flexibility has been questioned, and some wonder whether Tressel can get all he can from gifted sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor. A new chapter has started this spring at Ohio State, as Pryor goes through his first spring ball as the definitive starter and the team tries to replace a sizable and decorated senior class. Tressel took some time last week to discuss the Buckeyes' outlook for the spring and 2009.

As far as the youth and the feel of this team, is there another team it reminds you of, or is it really unique?

Jim Tressel: The thing about this world we live in, there's really no two teams are even remotely alike. Because you're so concerned about so many things. It's not like basketball, where, 'OK, if my two-guard comes along, I'll be fine.' Will my long snapper be all right? Will we be able to protect the field goals better? There are so many things. This is a younger team. It's going to need to grow. Do they understand how difficult this world is? We'll find out. But I like their intentions.

Is there an area or a position group that has surprised you so far?

JT: A young guy who made a position change, Jake Stoneburner, who moved from wideout to tight end, to me has been a pleasant transition. A lot of time you have to be really patient with a guy that changes positions. That's been a real plus. Otherwise, youth-wise, the young kicker-punter Ben Buchanan, who's trying to do both, did a good job in the kick scrimmage, probably better than he's done both since he's been here. That made me feel a little bit better about having some depth at those two positions. Outside of that, I've felt good about the way Terrelle's coming along, but also Joe [Bauserman]. Joe's really making steps and making headway, which is huge, of course.

You said last year it was Todd Boeckman's team. Is this Terrelle's team now? Do you need to say that to him? Does he know that?

JT: I don't think you ever assume anything. We certainly have discussions all the time, not just with Terrelle, but with anyone who we think has shown the kind of production that then can lead to being a potential leader. 'Hey, you've been given opportunities to get in the game, you've produced when you've been in the game. Now people are looking to you for that leadership.' So you absolutely talk about that, but not just with your quarterback.

Spring Q&A: Ohio State's Jim Tressel - Big Ten - ESPN

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

Rivals.com College Football - Whispers: Ranking the nation's top coaches



So, arguably the best coach in Ohio State history, which includes Paul Brown and Woody Hayes, is only the 13th best coach in football today. Do everyone a favor, Tom, and blow your head off.

Here are some other gems.

There are seven coaches that have not won a National Championship in front of Tressel. Only one of those (Beamer) has been to the BCS title game. An impartial observer would have Tressel at least #5 or #6 on that list.

 

[martinss01]

i ask because i honestly didn't pay any attention at the time. but did stoops go through something similar when he dropped a couple nc games?

 

[BB73]

i ask because i honestly didn't pay any attention at the time. but did stoops go through something similar when he dropped a couple nc games?

National media members have frequently referenced the fact that Stoops has now lost his last few BCS Bowl games (now 5), both before and after the loss to Florida in January.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

i ask because i honestly didn't pay any attention at the time. but did stoops go through something similar when he dropped a couple nc games?

Ummm... no...

Frankly, I think Stoops gets a pass because during the season his Offense is throwing 50 on people every week. That is to say, if Ohio State beat the teams they played to a bloody pulp every week, but tanked against Boise State, WVU and Florida people would give Tress a pass too (that is, the "national" media)

That said, I did finally hear some rumblings about Stoops recent bowl failings... likewise, as an Ohio State fan, I concede comments about Tressel are probably more likely to draw my attention than comments about stoops. [edit: BB73 beat me to it...]

 

[Buckeye86]

my beef with the 'rankings' that Dienhart put out is that he got paid for doing that, I wish I could get paid good money to pull lists out of my ass, seriously, how in the fuck do you get paid money to throw a list of coaches together in some sort of order and put a one sentence explanation next to each coaches name, that probably took twenty minutes at the most and he gets paid for that shit, unbelievable

 

[Wingate1217]

Ummm... no...

Frankly, I think Stoops gets a pass because during the season his Offense is throwing 50 on people every week. That is to say, if Ohio State beat the teams they played to a bloody pulp every week, but tanked against Boise State, WVU and Florida people would give Tress a pass too (that is, the "national" media)

That said, I did finally hear some rumblings about Stoops recent bowl failings... likewise, as an Ohio State fan, I concede comments about Tressel are probably more likely to draw my attention than comments about stoops. [edit: BB73 beat me to it...]

True, and could it be that most of the coaches above Tressel are known for their offensive prowess? They are exceptions for sure (Saban) and Petey could be thrown in there as well but the average fan would view USC as an offensive dynamo and overlook their great defenses....

Other than the Troy Smith years (late junior and senior year) OSU is known much more for their "D" than the offense. Just a thought.....

 

[BengalsAndBucks]

What I don't get is that the justification for ranking Stoops at #2 is his 4 BCS title game appearances (with one win). But Tressel, who is second out of people on that list with 3 appearances and one win, ranks 13? I mean really. Mike Riley? Bryan Kelly? Yeah, they are good coaches, but they aren't even in Tressel's league. Rich Rod is laughable. Wtf has Ferentz ever done? And while there is no denying that Jim Grobe has impressed at Wake, the Dienart's quote "If he were at say, Texas, how many national titles would he have won?" is truly absurd.

 

[Steve19]

Anything that lowers expectations for the Buckeyes going into this year is fine by me. As Tressel says, it's a young team. Rather over deliver.

 

[Buckskin86]

Ohio State's Tressel speaks of faith
OSU coach brings message to SW Florida
By Craig Handel ? [email protected] ? April 28, 2009

It's not a stretch to say Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel is quite at home in Southwest Florida.

He has recruited players here and two of the bigger Buckeyes' booster clubs are located here.

On Monday night, those boosters gave Tressel standing ovations when he spoke at the Southwest Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes Banquet. The theme was "Play to Win."

It was 40 years ago that Tressel attended an FCA camp as a junior in high school. "It was a life-changing event," he said.

Among his many themes was a commitment by he and other coaches and people in positions of leadership "to make sure our future isn't spiritually bankrupt."

He added, "That's a game we gotta win. Everything else we can work out."

He also let fans in on what is said in the lockerroom before his players go on the field for a game.

It's a poem by Edward Everett Hale, which reads, "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will."

Two days earlier, Tressel and his Buckeyes played their spring game before 95,722 fans. "We were shooting for 100,000," Tressel joked. "We got sideways with our fan base."

Former Immokalee High star Brian Rolle led all players with 11 tackles, eight solo. With the loss of linebackers James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman to the NFL, Tressel said the junior-to-be's time has come.

"He certainly has the opportunity," Tressel said. "He can run, and he loves the game. He has a great spirit. He's had two great years on special teams, and I expect him to continue to be more and more effective. We need B. Rolle."

Joining Rolle next season will be running back Carlos Hyde of Naples. With the loss of Beanie Wells, the Buckeyes need a big back.

"We're excited about Carlos Hyde," Tressel said. "We've got good, solid, smaller backs, but we like to have a big one in our arsenal. That's why we recruited Carlos."

Ohio State's Tressel speaks of faith | news-press.com | The News-Press

College football: Ohio State's Tressel speaks at FCA banquet, talks about Hyde, Rolle
By DANA CALDWELL (Contact)
Monday, April 27, 2009

BONITA SPRINGS — For several years, Naples High football coach Bill Kramer recruited Ohio State's Jim Tressel, a close friend, to speak to the Southwest Florida chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Two years ago, Kramer booked him, and on Monday night at the Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point, Tressel, who has been involved with FCA for 40 years, spoke during the "Play to Win" fund-raising campaign.

Tressel recently got something from Kramer, too -- 6-foot-1, 230 pound Naples High running back Carlos Hyde, who rushed for 1,653 yards and 16 touchdowns last season signed with Ohio State. The Daily News Broxson Award winner helped lead the Golden Eagles to the 2007 state title and last season's regional final.

Tressel, 56, laughed at the insinuation that Hyde, who has family in Cincinnati, was a trade-off for his speech.

"Not sure that had much to do with it, but we're excited about Carlos Hyde, that's for sure," Tressel said.

Tressel, who led the Buckeyes to the 2002 national title and 2006 and 2007 national championship games and is 83-19 with OSU, loves big, bruising backs like Beanie Wells, who went 31st in last weekend's NFL draft. Hyde fits the mold.

"We always love to have the big guy in the arsenal, and that's why we began recruiting Carlos," said Tressel, noting he wants all his freshmen coming in ready to play, although about half will redshirt.

Ohio State has another Southwest Florida product in rising junior linebacker Brian Rolle of Immokalee. The former Broxson Award winner has played a big role on special teams his first two seasons, and last season got more snaps on defense while tallying 21 tackles and intercepting a pass. Rolle led the Buckeyes in tackles (11) and had a sack during Saturday's spring game that drew a national record 95,722 fans.

"He's looked real good in the spring, flying around and playing well," Tressel said. "We graduated two outstanding linebackers, James Laurinaitis went to the Rams (second round) and Marcus Freeman to the Bears (fifth round). So this, theoretically, would be the year that you'd count on B-Rolle to step up and make a difference. He has been a great help on the special teams for two years."

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/apr/27/college-football-ohio-states-tressel-speaks-fca-ba/

 

[schwab]

SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NCAA Football stats, scores, standings, and blogs from NCAA Football columnists

Don't laugh: Tressel belongs in the Hall of Fame now

Dave Curtis
Posted: April 27, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The sun was shining, the fans were tailgating, and there wasn't a significant injury in sight. Saturday was a good day for Ohio State football, at least until the spring game ended. That's when Jim Tressel tried to be a funny man at his postgame press conference. He bombed.
Asked why quarterback Terrelle Pryor skipped the fourth quarter, a move that veered from the scrimmage's script, Tressel said he ejected the mild-mannered sophomore. "Tossed him," the coach said. "Tired of his stuff." A few giggles followed.


Any more question, folks? Tressel's got more jokes. He jabbed at Marcus Williams getting hauled down after a 75-yard run. "We told Marcus he would have scored before he was married," he said. He picked on receiver Taurian Washington's accessories. "Those little wristbands that he had on top of his calves. We've got to straighten that out," he said. Sorry, Coach. Crickets every time.



Cont..

 

[brodybuck21]

SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NCAA Football stats, scores, standings, and blogs from NCAA Football columnists

Don't laugh: Tressel belongs in the Hall of Fame now

Dave Curtis
Posted: April 27, 2009

uhhh thanks for the article Dave...i guess. Nice couple of jabs in there too.

 

[BUCKYLE]

uhhh thanks for the article Dave...i guess. Nice couple of jabs in there too.

Honestly, I thought that was...at least a well thought out article. You can't really fault the guy for bringing up the last two NC games. I mean, I don't agree, but the reasoning behind it at the very least seems reasonable.

 

[brodybuck21]

Honestly, I thought that was...at least a well thought out article. You can't really fault the guy for bringing up the last two NC games. I mean, I don't agree, but the reasoning behind it at the very least seems reasonable.

Youre right about the last 2 NC's but I still dont get the fuss about the loss to LSU. We werent even supposed to be there. Plus the comment about passing on him if you need to win 1 big game is crap too, IMO.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Youre right about the last 2 NC's but I still dont get the fuss about the loss to LSU. We werent even supposed to be there. Plus the comment about passing on him if you need to win 1 big game is crap too, IMO.

Oh, I agree without a doubt. I'm just saying as far as most articles about Tress go these days, that one was far more positive than most. Also, while you and I think it's bullshit, at least he doesn't seem crazy in his reasons...at least to me. Don't agree, but can see where he's coming from. That's better than JT gets treated by most media these days.