Tressel Saga Meets Its Natural End

ex-OSU coach Jim Tressel

Monday morning saw Ohio State announce the ending everyone saw coming as Jim Tressel resigned as head football coach. The curtain on Tressel's tenure began to drop in April when word came he had received emails the year prior that alerted him to a memorabilia-for-tattoos scandal that involved several players- including star QB Terrelle Pryor- and broke NCAA rules. Tressel's knowledge of the situation turned the foul-up from petty NCAA crime to full blown crisis as his failure to alert school officials- and then NCAA officials during the December 2010 investigation- put him in a stratosphere only a few coaches have survived. The crisis deepened throughout the spring as word of improper car deals and a much deeper and longer memorabilia scandal spread. The breaking point came Monday when OSU officials reached an agreement with Tressel and finished pushing him out the door. The well-respected coach and 2003 BCS champion's legacy will probably remain positive for Buckeye fans but the results of the impending investigation will have a huge effect on how the he is viewed around the country.

Tressel with Pryor

The most intriguing issue behind the entire scandal is Tressel himself. Popular opinion of the guy rivaled church deacons and esteemed philanthropists. Player after player under his watch at Youngstown State and The State University spoke of his father-figure capabilities and willingness to help a player out no matter the circumstances. Sports Illustrated's George Dohrmann paints a different picture in his upcoming cover story on the Tressel/Ohio State saga. That picture is of a keen and calculated coach that knew when to introduce gray area to situations allowing violations to happen, both at Youngstown and OSU, without being fully responsible. It also tells of a two-faced Tressel, one that would lead Bible studies and quote verses before fixing a camp raffle for prized recruits to take home prized Buckeye memorabilia. But which is the real Tressel? And how can he have put forth the image he has managed to provide and protect for a number of years?

One clue to Tressel's character is his reaction to the episode. Since the reports of his knowledge have come to light he has taken responsibility for his actions and has done little to no dodging. The worst post-email-revealing moments came at the initial press conference when Gordon Gee's sense of humor proved about as effective as the Maginot Line. Looking back at Tressel's comments its also pretty clear he was hamstrung by personal knowledge and certainly by word micromanaging lawyers. In all likelihood he knew of the depth and scope of his issues and sat at the press conference a hollow and defeated man that had to show none of the defeat or internal-boring he had recently been through. Tressel later requested his suspension extend to match that of his offending players- five games. This action can be viewed as a last-ditch, nose-sneering move or one  that came from a man's wish to curb the criticism of his university and personal friend, Gee.

To further examine the situation I think its important we consider the echoing sentiment from many ex-players: Tressel was devoted to his players, was a father-figure to many, and would bend over backward to protect them. This is an important characterization. Most coaches can come up with multiple reasons why he or she wants and loves to coach, regardless of the level. Almost every one will cite the desire to help young people. Its a desire that runs deep and to the core of most who take up the profession. Self-worth and pride often revolves around a coach's desire, ability, and effectiveness when it comes to bettering the life of a player down the road. The want to, and priority of, obeying NCAA rules for a college coach belongs high on that same list but I cannot imagine a coach that can manage a perfect record on that point. Even further I cannot imagine a coach that places this ahead of other duties, like improving the life of a player, nor should I be able to envision such a situation. Where would we be as a society if Nick Saban told his coaching staff winning and avoiding NCAA trouble rank ahead of positively altering the lives, experiences, and prospects of an impressionable young athlete? Having established this is it hard to believe Tressel might place a personal emphasis on pushing the envelope on helping Buckeyes to get to the lofty possibilities their lives contain? Is it worth it for Tressel to risk his reputation and credibility to cover a few incidents so that players have the second chance the NCAA will most assuredly crush? Or does the ex-OSU coach embody the falsely-praised, win-at-all-costs college football super-coach that crushes integrity and morality in his left hand as he fist-pumps during victories with his right? That question may or may not be answered during the course of the impending investigation but what is clear is that simple, seemingly-obvious choices reflecting character and integrity rarely retain their simplicity when examined to their core. This applies to young people with the world at their fingers like Terrelle Pryor who face daily choices that affect the rest of their lives and experience adults like Jim Tressel that have daily choices that affect the lives of so many around them.