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

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alexhortdog95;1930800; said:
If TP keeps showing up with cars, you guys will get a USC type punishment. I'm just in disbelief and dumfounded that he'd do something so stupid as to show up at a a team meeting where he's going to find out his head coach is gone partly because of some bad decisions he made....in a new ride.
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Don't ever be surprised at people's stupidity or greed or ego-centrism. Its the common thread in all of this.
 
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MaxBuck;1931553; said:
A bit of time has passed - enough to give me some perspective on my feelings and opinions, though I'm sure they'll evolve further over time.

First, what am I most saddened by? Is it the perception of Ohio State as a "rogue" program, rife with cheating, boosterism and corruption? No. I'm aware that Buckeye fans are simply a cross-section of America, including both alumni and those who have never set foot on campus (or any other college campus, for that matter). Inevitably there will be a segment of the fan base who will wish to gain access to athletes without concern for NCAA rules (we call them "jock-sniffers," but that is pretty unkind). It's difficult for any program to avoid having such fans commit violations as they seek to ingratiate themselves to athletes, and it's no different here. It's similarly difficult to keep impressionable, sometimes greedy young men from taking advantage of the opportunities posed by such boosters. So to some extent I see NCAA violations IN FACT as being inevitable at a program that strives for excellence on the field. And we've achieved, under Tressel, success on the field like no one could have imagined 10 years ago.

I'm most saddened, then, by the sense that the nation now sees Jim Tressel as a fraud, a cheat, a liar and a hypocrite. That truly shakes me to my bones, as I know Coach Tressel to be a good man; indeed, a better man than almost any I've been familiar with. He hasn't (contrary to the media) claimed to be morally superior to anyone else. What he HAS done is to share with the public, through some excellent writings, lessons he has learned about leadership, excellence, perseverance, and overcoming obstacles. His many successes, including Troy Smith, Maurice Clarett (yes, I count him as a success for Coach), and countless others, will say nothing about him but what a positive influence he has been in their lives.

Yet now America sees Jim Tressel as symptomatic of what is wrong with collegiate athletics. Surely all the NCAA violations are indicative of moral decay! Of course any time violations are uncovered, it is evidence of cheating, unfair advantages, and venality! These are very unfortunate conclusions, because they are so untrue, and because they depreciate the contributions to human growth that coaches like Tressel catalyze in their young charges.

I know beyond any doubt that, even at the most well-meaning of institutions, NCAA violations occur routinely. So routinely that the NCAA would literally be unable to keep track of the count were all of them to be input into some master database. Whether Ohio State football would tally more "per player" than the D1A average is unknown to me, and it's really not particularly important. Bottom line: collegiate sports, and especially its cash cow Big College Football is not pure - nor has it ever been. "Impermissible benefits" have been offered to college football players since the 19th century, though the rules may not always have been in place to recognize them as such. So spare me the moralizing about how we need to have a "zero-tolerance" policy; that's just not feasible at any level of athletics. If you believe otherwise you're hopelessly naive.

Jim Tressel failed at Ohio State for a variety of reasons, and it's clear that for the good of the program he needed to be gone. Bad things happen to good people, and this situation is a perfect example. But know this: I still love and respect this very good man, great coach, great leader of young men. It is worse for the players who would otherwise be able to learn from his guidance that he's been forced to resign. And that is the worst fallout of all from this whole debacle.

Godspeed, Coach Tressel. Many in Buckeye Nation mourn your departure, and I believe all of us wish nothing but the best for you as you find your next challenge.

GO BUCKS!
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This is an excellent post- how about an award?
 
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So much for my plans to see OSU play in the first Big 10 Championship game in Indy. Sad to say, I believe the NCAA will add something to the existing punishments. Something about institutional control.
 
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SloopyHangOn;1931674; said:
My suspicions that ESPN has a vendetta, if even in a small way, toward The Ohio State University are probably never going to go away. I believe it to be true and I don't think there's any question to the amount of evidence that can be put toward supporting that view.
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Now, I'm not into blaming the media over this. I've wanted JT gone for at least since the forwarding of the emails to the "life coach" came out. That being said, I don't disagree that espn has a hard on for Ohio State. Anyone wanting to try and understand the difference in coverage between Ohio State and Auburn only needs to look at whose conference stayed on the espn plantation and whose left it.

I don't think it's a vendetta against Ohio State. I think they do have a vendetta against the Big Ten because of their partnering with Fox in the BTN. Ohio State has been the conference's most prominent program (and second most prominent in bball). The focus of their anti-Big Ten crusade would naturally have been directed here. The first espn push against Ohio State came right as the BTN deal was going down. I've never found that timing to be coincidental. Now, with the second, the football program and ad certainly handed them the story on a silver platter, but I doubt they had any qualms about running with it.

I certainly think the SEC and Texas looked at what Ohio State went through in 2004 when deciding with whom to partner their networks with. What's interesting is that Pac 10 chose not to and went off the espn plantation. It'll be interesting to see if espn pursues prominent pac 10 programs with the same glee with which they've gone after Ohio State.
 
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ORD_Buckeye;1931805; said:
Now, I'm not into blaming the media over this. I've wanted JT gone for at least since the forwarding of the emails to the "life coach" came out. That being said, I don't disagree that espn has a hard on for Ohio State. Anyone wanting to try and understand the difference in coverage between Ohio State and Auburn only needs to look at whose conference stayed on the espn plantation and whose left it.

I don't think it's a vendetta against Ohio State. I think they do have a vendetta against the Big Ten because of their partnering with Fox in the BTN. Ohio State has been the conference's most prominent program (and second most prominent in bball). The focus of their anti-Big Ten crusade would naturally have been directed here. The first espn push against Ohio State came right as the BTN deal was going down. I've never found that timing to be coincidental. Now, with the second, the football program and ad certainly handed them the story on a silver platter, but I doubt they had any qualms about running with it.

I certainly think the SEC and Texas looked at what Ohio State went through in 2004 when deciding with whom to partner their networks with. What's interesting is that Pac 10 chose not to and went off the espn plantation. It'll be interesting to see if espn pursues prominent pac 10 programs with the same glee with which they've gone after Ohio State.
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Doubt it. Pretty sure 80% of ESECPN's ad dollars come from Nike.
 
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Reality Check.

Job Description: Head Football Coach at the major college level.

Organize and teach fundamentally sound football.

Plan and execute winning football.

Recruit talented athletes to fit the system in place.

Organize and direct a quality football staff.

Public relations.

It is my job to recruit athletes, plan, teach and win games, talk to alumni and boosters.

Win.

Execute all of the above according to the University, NCAA, state and federal guidelines and laws.



Quote that should be stated by every coach: It is not my job to monitor what car a student drives. It is not my job to babysit some snotty nose, egocentric, half witted, kid who wants and wants and wants and will do most anything to get what he wants. It is not my job to be a father to all, when in fact they have learned that they come first in all things. It is not my job to kiss the media?s ass when they persist on asking moronic questions over and over. It is not my job to save souls.

The University should take $500,000 of my salary and invest in 10 extra compliance people to investigate all and see what car they drive and see how many new tattoos they have and check to see if they are in class and read every social media source. These extra 10 should check to make sure every family member complies with the NCAA rules. This, in addition to the existing compliance department, should give us a fighting chance.


There should be daily classes to reinforce the common sense rules and teach right and wrong and how to follow whatever rules are in place.
 
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osugrad21;1931485; said:
JT is an enigma for fans and outsiders alike.

The man did things his way. 100% that cannot be denied.

To the believer,
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Well said, grad. On this side, I see a man who changed lives and ran a successful program.

To the cynic, the realist, the non-believer,
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On this side, I see a fulfillment of political prophecy.

The choice is up to the individual. This past decade was amazing and I thank Coach Tressel for that.
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Indeed on both accounts.
 
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Magnus6208;1931833; said:
Here is a great write up by a former Texas walk-on dismissing the idea that the athletes are too many and the coach too few to know what is going on with his program.


http://recruitocosm.fantake.com/2011/05/31/texas-football-and-institutional-control/
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Not that I necessarily disagree with a lot that he says about the larger issues of institutional control....but what a bunch of self-serving, holier-than-thou crap. Somebody should tell Sparky that bit about pride coming before a fall. Well, if Ohio State was THE program that many around the country were looking to see knocked off its high and mighty pedestal, I can't believe that Texas is far behind on that list.
 
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