Jim Tressel Could Be On His Way Out Of Columbus

The newest allegations against Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel just add to an already very severe situation for Tressel and the Buckeye football program.

The NCAA informed Ohio State on Monday that the school and Tressel face potentially major violations in connection to Tressel withholding information and lying to the NCAA. Five Ohio State players have been suspended for the first 5 games of the 2011 season for accepting improper benefits from a tattoo parlor owner. Tressel was suspended 5 games also and fined $250,000 for failing to notify the university of violations. Unfortunately for Tressel, that may just be the beginning for him.

Along with his school-imposed five game suspension, Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel faces more punishment by the NCAA.

Because he fielded ineligible players in 2010, it is very likely that the entire 2010 season will be vacated. In addition, the NCAA could extend Tressel’s suspension or even issue more sanctions against him.

Personally, I was very surprised when this story came out. Jim Tressel always seemed like he was clean and greatly stressed good morals to his players. He always seemed highly regarded by everyone across the nation, whether you love or despise Ohio State.

I’m not going to pretend that I don’t hate Ohio State, because I do. I bleed Wisconsin Badger red, and watching the Badgers beat “THE Ohio State” when they were ranked #1 in both basketball and football this past year was pure awesomeness. But I always admired and respected Jim Tressel and the way he ran his football program.

My opinion of him has greatly changed in the past few months.

He went from being the gold standard of college football coaches to being a shady character at best. This entire situation has blown his reputation to shreds, but he could have made a move when this first came out that may have helped him salvage his reputation.

When the NCAA pathetically announced they would suspend the five Ohio State football players for the first five games of the 2011 season, but not for the upcoming Sugar Bowl, Tressel had a chance to make a move. The fact that the NCAA didn’t suspend the players for the Sugar Bowl all for the sake of ratings was definitely a travesty, but Tressel could have, and probably should have, made a statement by suspending the players from the Sugar Bowl himself.

As we all know, he didn’t, and the Buckeyes beat Arkansas to finally beat an SEC team in a BCS bowl. Ironically, now it probably won’t matter because that game will likely be vacated by the NCAA.

I personally think the NCAA needs to redeem their spineless move in not suspending the players from the Sugar Bowl by bringing the hammer down on Tressel, and part of me thinks they will. The NCAA definitely frowns upon coaches lying to them, and they usually come down hard on coaches who do. I doubt this time will be any different.

As for Ohio State, they’re in a tough situation.

Jim Tressel has obviously done a tremendous job at the school, and he has given a lot back to the Columbus community. He has compiled a 106-22 record at Ohio State, including five BCS bowl game wins and a national championship. Only the legendary Woody Hayes and Tressel’s predecessor John Cooper have won more games at the school than him.

But, does the university think it’s worth sticking with a guy who has violated their trust by hiding information from them? If the NCAA deals Tressel serious sanctions, Ohio State will at the least have to consider firing him.

If you would’ve said this a few years ago, many people would have laughed and called you insane; but now it’s a situation that’s all too real for the Buckeye faithful:

Jim Tressel’s job is in serious jeopardy.

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