BIG Memorial Day news for the Buckeyes…

After several months of allegations, rumors and shocking claims, Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel has submitted his resignation to the University. On Memorial Day…

Out of Columbus:

The Ohio State University announced today that it has accepted the resignation of Jim Tressel as head coach of its football program. Luke Fickell will serve as interim head coach for the 2011-2012 football season. 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.

It was also announced that his replacement will be Luke Fickell, the current co-defenisve Coordinator. Fickell has been on the coaching staff for the last nine years.

A more in-depth analysis of this story will be covered by Deb Baratz, our Hawkeye reporter, HERE

The NCAA is now coming out swinging  against Ohio State and coach Jim Tressel. In a new 13-page indictment, the NCAA accused Tressel of withholding information and lying to keep his players on the field.

Tressel decided not to immediately share information with the OSU compliance department when he became aware that some of his players were trading jerseys, helmets, and Big 10 Championship rings for free tattoos at a local Columbus Tattoo parlor.

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting today that Ohio State could be facing the most severe punishment their football program has ever seen.

In the indictment, it stated

Tressel had “permitted football student-athletes to participate in intercollegiate athletics while ineligible.” It also said he “failed to deport himself … [with] honesty and integrity” and said he was lying when he filled out a compliance form in September which said he had no knowledge of any NCAA violations by any of his players.

The University responded to the new accusations with this statement,

“The allegations are largely consistent with what the university self-reported to the NCAA on March 8. … The university will continue to work cooperatively with the NCAA during the response phase to the NCAA that now begins, and will have no further comment until the process is completed.”

OSU has already given Tressel a five game suspension and a hefty fine of $250,000. The only thing the University can hope for at this point is that the NCAA accepts their self-imposed punishment.

If not, things do not look real positive for Tressel and the Buckeyes.

Buckeye Athletic Director Gene Smith said he would have no comment until the case has been solved.

Guys lifting weights, trying to get stronger. Running sprints on a quiet football field. Gaining that extra ten pounds to get you in the mix for a starting position. That’s what is supposed to be happening in the months between college football seasons. And for most schools, that is whats going on. Nice quiet spring practices with no drama. No distractions. But that’s a different story for some student-athletes.

The players at Ohio State are waiting to see what will happen with their coach. And the boys in Auburn are now waiting to see if that National Title they worked so hard for will eventually be stripped.

A little back story on Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel if you haven’t been following the story or living under a rock. Ohio State actually turned in Tressel for violating NCAA bylaw 10.1, which is the bylaw that enforces Unethical Conduct. So what did Tressel do?

» Continue reading “Greed, Corruption and Sanctions? It’s College Football Off-Season, Of Course!”