Jim Tressel puts Ohio State in Difficult Spot, but Buckeyes Have No Choice

Written for Chalk Them Up.
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As a college football coach there is usually very little guarantee of job security, unless you’re named Bear Bryant, Joe Paterno or Bo Schembechler. Ohio State’s Jim Tressel was in this esteemed category, which, under normal circumstances, would have seen him remain at the helm in Columbus as long as he wished. All would be well and statues would have been commissioned in his honor.

Unfortunately for him, these are not normal circumstances. One of the only things that could have affected Tressel’s job status surfaced over the past couple of weeks: evidence that the head coach knowingly did not report NCAA rules violations.  While Tressel has achieved a level of greatness at Ohio State over the past decade, rivaled only by Woody Hayes, the latest news regarding the man in the sweater vest could cost him his job with the Buckeyes.

It was reported on Monday, April 25, that Ohio State received a notice of allegations from the NCAA saying that Tressel did not act in compliance with NCAA rules when he withheld information from both university officials and college football’s governing body regarding ineligible players. During the 2010 season, quarterback Terrelle Pryor, wide receiver DeVier Posey, and three other Buckeyes exchanged signed memorabilia for tattoos and other gifts.

These actions should have resulted in the team playing without those five on Saturdays. Instead, Tressel allowed them all to suit up throughout the season and in the Sugar Bowl, despite knowing about their misconduct.

As a result of the violations, all five players have been suspended for the first five games in 2011, and Tressel has meted out the same penalty for himself. While most programs the caliber of Ohio State generally play soft opponents to open the year, a five-game absence for Tressel will mean he won’t coach against conference foe Michigan State in 2011. The toughest matchup during that stretch otherwise comes in Miami against the Hurricanes.

But this is about more than simply whether the program can survive a few games without its celebrity coach. It’s about whether the Buckeyes can survive if the school retains Tressel. So, is a self-imposed suspension and a $250,000 fine enough to excuse Tressel and allow him to stay in Columbus? In my opinion, the answer is no.

The fact is that what happens to Tressel’s job should not be determined solely on the basis of his win-loss record and performance in bowls. If that were the case, Ohio State would be placing a higher premium on winning games than on keeping its football house in order. This is also about maintaining the good reputation of an historic football program and its university.

Sure, Tressel has defeated Michigan every year since the 2004-05 season. And sure, he has a winning record – 80-plus games over .500 – in his ten years at Ohio State. And sure, Tressel helped the Buckeyes win the National Championship in only his second full year (2002). Despite all the positive things that he and his trademark sweater-vest have done for the town of Columbus, however, these allegations and possible sanctions amount to one massively dark cloud that would loom over the team for the foreseeable future should he stay.

Pending the Tressel investigation, he could be banned from participating in crucial aspects of his job, such as recruiting. This is perhaps the harshest penalty the NCAA can impose – even more severe than USC’s two-year bowl ban – because replenishing your team’s roster through recruiting is essential to sustained success in the college game. Furthermore, the entire 2010 season could be vacated (including the Buckeyes bowl win), which although largely symbolic, still negatively impacts the program.

Let’s also not lose sight of the boost such a sanction could give the rest of the Big Ten. Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin and even newcomer Nebraska, would all benefit from a little less competition for Ohio talent, as would the rest of the conference. Should sanctions against recruiting be handed down, the rest of the Big Ten coaching staffs would be foolish not to take advantage.

You might still think that these are ultimately minor issues for Ohio State, and I am not saying that all other football programs are without sin. But the facts are the facts: Tressel covered up rules violations, played ineligible players and lied to the NCAA about knowing anything. To use a baseball analogy: three strikes and you’re out.

Should Tressel be fired, it's doubtful he would be out of work very long. A worst-case scenario might be for him to take a year off by working as an analyst, and then get hired by another school by the start of the 2012 season. If the Buckeyes are willing to swallow two or more lost years of recruiting top-talent and possibly tarnishing the program’s profile, then they should keep Tressel. But wouldn’t that send the wrong message?

The NCAA did what was necessary by notifying the school of allegations and now it’s time for Ohio State to make the right move, however difficult that might be.

As is often said, the right decisions are often the most difficult to make.