The fallout from Jim Tressel‘s stunning resignation, which came nearly two weeks after getting a vote of confidence from his boss, continues this morning with word that his decision to step down as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes -- surprise! -- may not have been a completely voluntary one.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, which broke the story on Tressel’s resignation, the now-former head coach was “encouraged” to resign by unnamed individuals. It’s unclear precisely who those individuals were, but the talk of Tressel stepping down for the good of the program had reportedly commenced several weeks ago.
The Dispatch further writes that “mounting pressure, a pending NCAA disciplinary hearing and new revelations about the culture of the program forced the university to act on their once-revered coach, sources said.”
The new revelations the paper spoke of could include myriad issues, including the school’s probe -- prompted by a Dispatch inquiry -- into vehicles purchased by members of the football program and their family from a pair of Columbus dealerships. Additionally, a feature by Sports Illustrated senior writer/pit bull George Dohrmann has been in the works for weeks and is said to be very damning and damaging to the OSU football program in general and Tressel specifically. While it’s unclear what new details, if any, Dorhmann unearthed, OSU officials were reportedly given a sneak peek into the piece late last week.
“I’m told it is likely my SI mag story will be posted at SI.com later today/tonight. Timing of Tress dec. will make sense after you read it,” Dorhmann wrote on his Twitter account shortly after news of Tressel’s resignation broke. Dohrmann went on to write that a statement by OSU officials that the “Board and President Gee consider this matter unrelated to the media” is “bs”.
As for the future of an Ohio State football program rocked by the scandal that eventually brought down one of the most successful head coaches of the past decade? For the time being, you can forget about Urban Meyer riding in on his white horse and saving his home state’s flagship institution, even as ESPN‘s Kirk Herbsteit stated this morning that "[t]he reality is his (Urban Meyer) dream job has always been and will continue to be the head coach at Ohio State.”
In an email sent to students announcing Tressel’s resignation, OSU president/serial buffoon E. Gordon Gee wrote that “recruitment for a new head coach - which is expected to include external and internal candidates - will not commence until the conclusion of the 2011-2012 season.” So, at least for the 2011 season, Luke Fickell, who it had previously been announced would serve as interim head coach while Tressel served his five-game suspension, will be in charge of the Buckeyes.
After that, however, the speculation centering on Meyer taking over the program will commence in earnest.
Regardless of whether it’s Meyer or Fickell or whomever, that individual could very well be stepping into an on-field mess spawned by off-field issues. The university is scheduled to appear in front of the NCAA in August to answer for the cover-up/lies/dishonesty that led to Tressel announcing to his players Monday morning that he was stepping down. Tressel became aware in April 2010 that at least two of his players -- quarterback Terrelle Pryor, wide receiver DeVier Posey -- had likely received impermissible benefits but sat on the information -- in one instance lying to the NCAA on a compliance form -- until confronted with damning emails this past January.
Whether Tressel’s resignation, forced or not, will have an impact on whatever sanctions the NCAA levies on the football program remains to be seen. It became clear, however, to many involved, including the coach, that the trigger had to be pulled.
“After meeting with University officials, we agreed that it is in the best interest of Ohio State that I resign as head football coach,” Tressel said in a statement. “The appreciation that Ellen and I have for the Buckeye Nation is immeasurable.”
Tressel leaves Ohio State with a 106-22 record, seven outright or shared Big Ten titles -- including six straight -- and one national championship. Unfortunately, given the circumstances surrounding his resignation, the on-field greatness will not be his legacy.