Tressel at a Michigan Walmart TinC Article

Jim Tressel, the maligned ex head coach at Da Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio was recently spotted working as a greeter at a Walmart in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

A clause in his contract stipulated that each person entering the store be greeted with an "I'm Sorry," rather than the usual "Welcome to Walmart."

When management was asked if they felt he would honor that clause, they indicated that they were aware of his "respect" for clauses, and felt he would eventually resort to the usual Walmart greeting. They also indicated that they were in the process of acquiring a "vest" for him to wear, in maize and blue.

Oddly enough, his pay scale is higher than the store Manager, Bo Bruce, but Tress answered, when asked about it, "Hey, I'm used to that, I made more than the school President, and the Athletic Director, I'm used to being overpayed."

Prior to being hired, he told personnel management that he would not say "Go Blue" under any set of circumstances, and by the same token, he would not utter "Go Bucks" as customers entered the store.

This is an old post, but was asked to publish it again. It got a lot of hits on my Spoof site.

Poor Tress

How much more can ex-OSU coach Jim Tressel take. They have let him RETIRE instead of RESIGN, they have taken his $250,000.00 find away from him, he doesn't have to pay that, they owe him $50 some thousand on his pay, he gets FREE medical for life, and the school wiped out last years record. What does that mean? How do you take away a winning season, and a winning bowl game.

The wonderful part of the whole scenario is that NO ONE else knew anything about it. just ol Jim knew what was a goin on. That thought saved AD Smith his job, may even Gordon Gee. The guys are all walking around with NEW tats, driving fancy cars,  and no one wondered WHY? I find that ironic.

HOW could the AD NOT know what was going on? Easy, he looked the other way, he didn't want to jeopardize his job by losing any games or putting a "black" mark on daOSU.

Tress will probably be given an office on campus, and do some part time teaching .... Ethics 101.

I guess Columbus, Ohio now can boast about having Earle Bruce, John Cooper and Jim Tressel. Ohio used to be the "cradle" for football coaches, now it is the "graveyard."

GOP Considers Hiring Ex OSU Coach - TinC

THIS IS A TONGUE IN CHEEK ARTICLE

An undisclosed source recently revealed that Chairman Reince Priebus of the Republican Party is considering hiring ex-Ohio State football coach, Jim Tressel, and bringing him on board as a "recruiter" for presidential hopefuls.


"We did some research, and he seems to draw out individuals with the qualities necessary to become successful politicians. We looked at the players that he had recruited, and more so, how they have turned out, and we are quite excited about bringing Jim on board."

Priebus indicated that the 3.5 million dollar salary was not a problem, but in preliminary conversations with Tressel, his attire was a concern. The party would prefer him in a suit, rather than a sweater vest.

Priebus went on to say, "Jim was quite relieved when we made him aware of "financial backing," that he would have with us, something which he said he has always had in his previous two coaching positions."

Tressel stated, "Hey, it takes money to make winners, and financial backers grease that old wheel which keeps things going. I just wish we could bring Jim and Gordon on board too, they know the score and could be a big help." (Jim Smith the Athletic Director, and Gordon Gee, head of OSU).

One reporter asked the ex-coach if he was interested in the position, to which he replied, "Salary is no problem, but I have a few players I owe a lot to, and if they will let me get involved in fund raising I have some ideas on jewelry sales and such, and these fellas have a leg up on that. Hey, I got nothing else to do, if they want me, they got me. This Walmart job sucks."

T in C - My SPOOF site warns it might be offensive ...... Additional info

Jim Tressel, the maligned ex head coach at Da Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio was recently spotted working as a greeter in a Walmart in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

A clause in his contract stipulated that each persons entering the store be greeted with an "I'm Sorry," rather than the usual "Welcome to Walmart."

When management was asked if they felt he would honor that clause, they indicated that they were aware of his "respect" for clauses, and felt he would eventually resort to the usual Walmart greeting. They also indicated that they were in the process of acquiring a "vest" for him to wear, in maize and blue.

Oddly enough, his pay scale is higher than the store Manager, Bo Bruce, but Tress answered, when asked about it, "Hey, I'm used to that, I made more than the school President, and the Athletic Director, I'm used to being overpayed."

Prior to being hired, he told personnel management that he would not say "Go Blue" under any set of circumstances, and by the same token, he would not utter "Go Bucks" as customers entered the store.

I put this on my SPOOF site, some suggested I place it here, also.

Will Pryor Enter NFL Supplemental Draft in July?

By Zachary D. Rymer


These last couple months have been a long, bumpy road for Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. And unfortunately, he has nobody to blame but himself.

In case you need to get caught up, it was revealed several months ago that Pryor and several other Ohio State players traded memorabilia for tattoos, and that head coach Jim Tressel had covered for them. Initially, that led to suspensions for all involved parties, but things have gotten progressively worse.

At the outset, Pryor could have chosen to declare for the 2011 NFL Draft. Instead, he promised Tressel he would return for his senior season. As it turned out, Tressel resigned on Monday. As if that wasn't bad enough, it is now being investigated whether or not Pryor has also received cars and other benefits.

Needless to say, Pryor's tenure at Ohio State has taken a turn for the worse. However, these is a way for him to escape.

The draft has already taken place, but the word from ESPN's Adam Schefter is that the NFL lockout will not necessarily cancel the supplemental draft. If there are applicants, it will be held in July.

So far, there haven't been any applicants, and no deadline has been set for interested players to apply.

"If there is one, the supplemental draft would be held mid-to-late July, no later than 10 days before the first training camp opens," said an optimistic league official.

The supplementary draft was implemented in 1977. It is designed to accommodate players who didn't declare for the NFL Draft in time and for those who couldn't because they were facing disciplinary issues. Naturally, Pryor belongs in the latter group.

As for how the supplemental draft works, teams are free to make a "bid" on a player. These bids are the round they would take the player in if they were in the draft. If one team bids a seventh-round pick, and another bids a fifth-round pick, the second team would win the player but would then forfeit its fifth-round pick in the following year's draft.

If Pryor wants of out Ohio State, this is his ticket. It may not be the Radio City Music Hall, but at least it will get him away from Columbus. And better yet, he'll get paid.

Now that Tressel is gone, don't be surprised if Pryor chooses to pursue this opportunity

I couldn't resist this ....................

I said no more, but I got  this in my morning Emails ....

I was wrong, Tressel got a job right away,

he is a greeter at a Walmart

 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The rest of the Story ............

People are missing the point. Athletes have been accepting "favors" since football started. Ohio State had John Galbreath and his farm for players to work Summers. In 1950, at South Carolina, their quarterback, Steve Wadiak had "Wadiak's Cadillac."

I honestly don't care if they sell their "memorabilia." I don't mind if the university or school "looks the other way" in such instances. I have been in a coaches office, years ago, and seen the pile of "resumes" from high school and Junior College athletes, they almost included "Salary Requirements." Whenever you see a small college or a small university field an outstanding team, they probably "bought" it. Pay to play is alive and well, and always has been.

That has nothing to do with the Tessel case. The athletes have NOTHING to do with the situation.

Tressel was asked if he had any prior knowledge of wrong-doing ..... he replied "NO." He lied. That is why he was forced to resign. He knew of the situation and he said that he didn't. Not only a lie, it was a "breach of contract." He DID NOT RESPECT the Contract that he had recently signed with the University. A similar situation to what he had at Youngstown State. A history of dishonesty. He was tarnished when they hired him, so I don't know why they register such surprise when it happens again.

So don't tell me about his integrity or his honesty, or what a great guy he is. When his 3.5 million dollar salary was on the line, he tried to lie his way out of it. He knows it, he knows he had done it before. So, please, no superlatives about the man.

He was nothing more than an "image" that he created, vest, glasses and all. His eyes are fine, he got the idea of the glasses from Radar, on MASH. It was part of the image. It worked so well when recruiting, parents loved his image.

His next move will probably be to go on TBN, he would fit in well there, maybe join Leroy Jenkins and his crusade, he was in Columbus not long ago, maybe Tress went to see him.

So, when you hear all the great stuff, all the accolades, remember, he lied, its that simple.

People forget - history just repeated itself ....

One more, and no more. When OSU hired Tressel I was upset, I was aware of his shenanigans at YSU. His Baptist Minister passade never fooled me. What he preached and what he actually did himself were two different things. Winning programs cost SOMEONE money, at YSU it was PharMor thaat paid the bill. Tress was invvestigated there, yet OSU overlooked that and hired him. They got what they paid for. He used that vest to "pull the wool" over everyones eyes.

Jim Tressel had to be aware of football program violations that occurred during his tenure as Youngstown State University’s head coach, according to a Sports Illustrated investigation.

Tressel on Monday resigned as head coach at The Ohio State University.

In February 2000, 11 months before OSU hired Tressel, Youngstown State acknowledged football violations and announced self-imposed sanctions, states the SI article, which appeared online Monday night and will be in print June 6.

“What bothered me was that the family knows,” retired YSU President Leslie Cochran. “Inside the family everyone knows what’s going on.”

YSU hired Tressel in December 1985. “In 1990, with hometown hero Ray Isaac under center, the Penguins went undefeated in the regular season. In ‘91 they won the Division I-AA national title,” the article states.

But in 1988, according to court documents from a jury-tampering trial involving Mickey Monus, a YSU trustee and the founder of the Phar-Mor chain of drug stores, Tressel had called Monus about arranging a job for Isaac. By the time he left Youngstown State, in 1992, Isaac had collected more than $10,000 in cash and checks from Monus and Monus’s associates and employees, the article states.

In January 1994 the NCAA’s director of enforcement sent Cochran a letter saying that according to an anonymous source, Isaac had been driving a car provided by a local business, which would turn out to be Phar-Mor; 13 Penguins had had jobs with Phar-Mor during the season, in violation of NCAA rules; and nonscholarship student athletes were being illegally paid by the university’s director of athletic development.

After YSU announced self-imposed sanctions, and because it was satisfied with those steps and its statute of limitations on the violations had run out, the NCAA allowed Youngstown to keep the ‘91 national title.


“I’m sad because he’s such a good guy and he’d do anything for you,” said Dan Wathen, the strength and conditioning coach at YSU during Tressel’s tenure

You should not judge Tressel by his books

I personally am getting tired of all the banners being waved for Tressel, all the accolades, I think this article sums it up pretty well. Tressel was asked a question, and in his answer, he lied. It's that simple

By Ferd Lewis

Jim Tressel wasn't just another college coach.

He told us so.

He peddled the message of integrity and honor along with a series of inspirational books such as “The Winners Manual For the Game of Life” and “Life Promises For Success: Promises From God On Achieving Your Best” while touting doing “the right thing.”

And he sold the image with that professorial look and Mr. Rogers sweater.

But it turns out that Tressel could be as much an under-the-rock fraud as your average Wall Street swindler. He told one lie and then another, attempting to obfuscate his knowledge of one Buckeyes scandal while creating another crisis that finally led to his departure Monday.

There is a fresh, high-profile lesson there for all those who place college coaches on too high a pedestal. Cheer them for their victories, salute them for their championships, but remember an admirable winning percentage isn’t necessarily a sign of exemplary behavior. Beating Michigan regularly doesn’t automatically confer wisdom. Bowl game invitations don’t certify character.

While they are points too often lost on fans who, by the very definition, are “fanatics,” you could also say the same about OSU administrators. The Buckeyes debacle is a reminder of what can happen when administrators find it easier to wave pom-poms than do their jobs.

Less than three months ago, well after Tressel’s deceit was discovered, OSU president E. Gordon Gee was asked if he had considered firing Tressel. “Are you kidding? I’m just hoping that the coach doesn’t dismiss me,” Gee responded, immediately telling you how deep in the Ohio Stadium turf his head was stuck.

Two weeks ago the school’s athletic director, Gene Smith, also gave Tressel a public vote of confidence.

We are left to speculate on what changed their minds, be it mounting public opinion, additional revelations, the rising prospect of severe NCAA sanctions or a combination of all of the above.

But something — and there is nothing like NCAA gumshoes prowling the corridors to provide a little religion — prompted the powers that be in Columbus to finally begin asking the kind of questions that were months overdue.

Just as sadly, it apparently took the convening of “a special committee,” as Gee put it, to help him see his duty and obligation. And, maybe, to give him the requisite backbone to carry out a change that needed to be made.

Schools, especially marquee BCS ones such as Ohio State, reward their coaches handsomely. Tressel was getting a reported $3.7 million this year. Of course, they ask a lot in terms of victories and championships. And sometimes not enough in integrity.

If Wall Street financial folks aren’t above cooking the books to preserve their considerable salaries and perks, we shouldn’t assume that some coaches are beyond turning a blind eye or contorting the truth to protect their goodies either. Too many have already demonstrated they will.

Tressel, it turns out, wasn’t any different. He was just the latest and slickest.

Sick of hearing that Tressel was a "Man of Integrity"

All of the coaches interviewed today agreed on one thing ..... IF you hear of, know of, or suspect of something wrong, GO TO THOSE IN AUTHORITY and let them know ........... THE FIRST RULE OF COACHING ..............

Integrity, HE LIED, to protect his overpaid ass, to win football games, to keep the alumni and the administration happy, to keep the AD happy, but, most of all, to protect that multi-million dollar salary.

He and Bernie Madoff should get together and co-author a book on honesty and integrity. He has decimated an athletic program that has always been highly regarded around the country. And, he did it basically to protect his job, bottom line. He has been coaching long enough to know the rules, he just didn't get caught before. "Mommy when I grow up I want to play football for coach Tressel at Youngstown State." A kids dream, yea, really.

If the sanctions follow him he will have a hard time finding a coaching job anywhere, and if he does, he is going from the  penthouse to the basement. Hard for the ego. He might find a job doing color commentary at wrestling matches. Maybe go to work for the NCAA as a Violation Investigator. Takes one to know one, so to speak.

Enough of that, I predicted it would eventually happen when he took the job, so enough, already.

In was INEVITABLE ....... in my opinion

I have NEVER been a fan of Tressel, and predicted, when they hired him, it could end up in disaster. His Baptist Minister persona never fooled me. You don't have winning seasons at Youngstown State without some help from someone, or something. I had heard too many rumors of possible wrong-doing up there.

Now he is gone, the program is in shambles, and could be for a number of years. All of that great tradition, all the great coaches, are now tarnished. I don't think they are done, there is still an AD and a President who I feel also were involved in the cover up. To me, the AD is as guilty as the coach, he and his MILLION DOLLAR PLUS salary should go. They got rid of Tressel, now if  they got rid of Smith and Gee they could lower tuition's.

I can now dig out all my OSU shirts and become a Buckeye fan again. I think Meyer may be the next coach, don't know if he would want it or not, at least he would have a few years with little expectations, might be a good job with that bonus. He is Catholic and his "dream" job is Notre Dame, but he has an Ohio background, so who knows. A three year "no pressure" job could be appealing.

Tress probably has enough to retire, he should, maybe he will do "color commentary" for Youngstown State.

I said it would happen, and it has.

Go Bucks .......... O .......... H .......... I  ............. O

Report: Feds say OSU players traded, sold 36 items

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A newspaper reports that Ohio State football players are alleged to have improperly traded dozens of items to the owner of a tattoo parlor, receiving tattoos, $14,000, and in one case a sport-utility vehicle.

The report by The Columbus Dispatch says it obtained a letter Thursday that was sent from the U.S. Department of Justice to Ohio State officials in December. The document lists 36 items that players are said to have sold to Eddie Rife or traded for tattoos since 2008.

The newspaper reports that investigators say one player received a 2003 Chevy Tahoe, purchased by Rife for $3,500, in exchange for a watch and passes to the 2010 Rose Bowl.

Only a portion of the transactions were deemed violations by the NCAA, and five players have been suspended for the first five games of the upcoming season. A related NCAA investigation into coach Jim Tressel continues.

Money versus Integrity

I guess when you make way over TWO MILLION as a football coach, you just hate leave your job. Lie a little, cheat a little, a few little white lies, whatever it takes, but WIN, GO TO BOWL GAMES, WIN BOWL GAMES, Conference Wins.

Now, he and the Ohio State program are being raked over the coals, or as most of the football players call it, Da Ohio State University.

13 coaches have been in his situation with the NCAA, only one survived. I honestly don't see how they can side with and keep him as coach. He lied, was in breach of contract, etc. I wonder if any other coach at OSU would still be around under similar circumstances.

Fortunately, I exited the world of OSU fans, a number of years ago. I did not like what their program had resorted to. Earle Bruce firing upset me, they went to the bottom of the barrel and hired one Eldon Miller to coach basketball, a decision I will never understand. Then they brought in John Cooper from ASU to coach football, ASU sent the AD at OSU a Thank You card

Now, Jim Tressel, looks like a Methodist minister, from reports I have received, left a questionable legacy at powerhouse Youngstown State. Young boys dreamed of playing at Youngstown State, "NO Dad, I don't want to go to Notre Dame, I want to go to Youngstown State." Maybe the promises made were better there.

Now he hid information that may have lead to suspensions and a loss in a bowl game, and that could not happen, maybe there was a "clause" in his contact about bonus money for bowl victories. He specifically signed a contract about "disclosure of certain information," which he lied about and did not disclose, and the won. Nothing happened, now we know who actually has all the "power" at Da Ohio State University.

My guess is that he has had a vasectomy, because if he had "any" he would resign, and give OSU an opportunity to regain some resemblance of credibility, not prolong all of this for many months.

Only 1 out of 13 has survived such a situation, I hope soon, it will be 1 out of 14.

At least he has not dotted the "I" , that would be difficult to undo.

Final Four tarnished by new probes into UK, UConn

By Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports

It’s Final Four Saturday and to ring in the action there are two new media investigations into NCAA violations, this time at Kentucky and Connecticut, one half of the Bond, Schoeneck and King subregional here.

Jim Calhoun's program could find itself in hot water again if the NCAA looks into new allegations.

The New York Times said that the NCAA could potentially reopen the UConn major infractions case involving one-time recruit Nate Miles after Miles told the paper that Huskies coach Jim Calhoun “knew” of illegal payments from a booster, that he twice received improper help on standardized tests and characterized a number of Calhoun’s statements to the NCAA as “lies”.

Meanwhile, FoxSports.com is reporting a former Kentucky and Memphis basketball staffer, Bilal Bately, made illegal phone calls to recruits, including former Wildcat DeMarcus Cousins. In his job, Bately was not permitted to call recruits. He left the program in 2009.
While neither scandal is overwhelming in nature, together they represent more dings to an already banged up sport. The timing of their release serves as the latest drumbeat that college athletics are at a breaking point.

Already there are major allegations against the football programs of Auburn, Ohio State and Oregon, plus details of illegal activity and rampant fraud involving the BCS’s Fiesta Bowl. There was also this week’s report by ESPN that former LSU All-American Patrick Peterson was shopped as a high school recruit, which follows last fall’s case of Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton being shopped as a recruit. And it turns out Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel knowingly used ineligible players for an entire season

Jim Tressel Asks Ohio State To Extend Suspension From Two to Five Games

Jim Tressel asked to increase his suspension from two to five games, the same length as his players who were suspended for selling memorabilia. It’s fairly clear from the delayed response, the rambling press conference and the initial slap on the wrist the school underestimated the situation’s seriousness. Eleven of the 12 NCAA coaches caught violating bylaw 10.1 since 2006 resigned or were fired. Tressel increasing his suspension is the decent thing to do. It should also alleviate the pressure on the NCAA to hammer him.
 
Akron Columbus, Ohio, 10 Toledo Columbus, Ohio,  Miami (Fla.) at Miami, Fla.,  Colorado Columbus, Ohio,  Michigan State, Columbus, Ohio.
 
WOW, is he a great guy, or what?
 
 

Tressel apologizes to Ohio State fans

CANTON, Ohio (AP)—Standing before a room jammed with some of his most loyal admirers, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel apologized several times during his first public speaking engagement since being suspended and fined for violating NCAA rules.

Speaking to a crowd of 400—many of them Ohio State fans clad in the school’s scarlet and gray—at a luncheon sponsored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Tressel charmed a pro-Buckeyes’ audience during a 40-minute speech focused on handling adversity.

Tressel began his remarks by saying he couldn’t say much about the recent troubles at Ohio State “because of the nature of the investigation.”

“But I can tell you this,” he said. “I consider all of you a part of the Buckeye Nation. I sincerely apologize for what we’ve been through. I apologize for the fact I wasn’t able to find the ones to partner with to handle our difficult and complex situation.

“I also apologize because I’m going to have some sanctions. But the mission doesn’t change. That’s the pledge I have to you. The mission I’ve always had is we make sure we help young people change their lives.”

Dressed in a charcoal suit and dark red tie, Tressel also apologized for being a distraction to Ohio State’s top-ranked basketball team, which enters this week’s NCAA tournament as the No. 1 overall seed.

As part of the school-imposed penalties announced last week, Tressel was also publicly reprimanded and required to make a public apology.

Before he was whisked off to the airport, Tressel was asked if his speech served as his public repentance.

“I’ve tried to apologize all along,” he said.

More of my Opinions

The Chairman of the NCAA Selection Committee, Gene Smith, of the Ohio State University, is the same man who decided that a WHITEWASH of coach jim tressel and his lying and deceit was necessary. The punishment, loss of a months salary, and not being able to coach two games, which will then, in fact, be coached by the cheer leading squad, or one of the water boys.

Does HE make good decisions, or what?

Is it any wonder that the Sports World is upset by his decisions?

In my opinion, if the Ohio State University wants to maintain some credibility in the academic and higher education world, they should start at the top, get rid of their bow-tied Howdy Doody president Gee, their highly over payed, never quoted, frequently misunderstood Athletic Director, and their football coach, whose character is no longer misunderstood, we now know him for what he is, and has been all of his coaching career, the Baptist appearing author of books on integrity and honesty, and actually was signing autographs on his latest book when he was informed that he had been caught lying and cheating, perhaps they should let them all go. Tressel, Smith and Gee, what a Trinity that is, sounds like a New Jersey law firm.

Proud to be a Buckeye - when Woody was here

A comment ot two on the OSU football situation, and then no more. I think Dr. Gee said it best, "He may fire me," meaning that coach Tressel might fire him. After all, Tressel gets paid more than the school President. Tressel was fined a months salary, which must really hurt, with his book money and all, books on ethics, integrity, clean living, etc., shows a real sense of humor when you can write about something and live your life another way.
    I think every program that Tressel has been involved in has experienced some ethical and questionable practices, but he will endure the humiliation of giving a public apology and the other sanctions, as long as it does not affect his 3.5 million a year.
     What a fine example to set for all those athletes at OSU. Coach can lie and get away with it, coach can be humiliated and not be bothered, coach seems like a spineless wimp, I sure want to play for him.
    The NCAA could do more, but they won't, the school could do more, but they won't. Here is a man who wrote these books, The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life, What It Means to Be a Buckeye  and Life Promises for Success: Promises from God on Achieving Your Best , lied about something, is guilty of breach of contract to the University (a specific clause was written into his contract which stated he would notify the university IMMEDIATELY in such a situation), and it costs him a months salary and not be able to coach in two games that could be coached by the cheer leading squad with the same success.
    Good lessons for children. I used to be proud to be a Buckeye, the state emblem is a Buckeye, which is a worthless NUT, now we have three of them, that I know of, there may be more.

My New Bumper Sticker

Uh-oh: Jim Tressel could be in major NCAA hot water

If you are an Ohio State fan and thought, with the exception of serving the five-game suspensions, the imbroglio involving multiple Buckeyes receiving impermissible benefits was over, you may be very, very wrong.

And the school’s head coach may have bought himself a world of NCAA hurt. Allegedly.

According to a report by Dan Wetzel and Charlie Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, “coach Jim Tressel was informed that several Buckeyes players were selling memorabilia more than eight months before the school claims it was made aware of the scheme.” That startling accusation stems from a two-month investigation by the website.

Sources told the website that Tressel was informed in April of 2010 that some of his players were selling/bartering Buckeyes memorabilia and mementos to the owner of Columbus tattoo parlor. At a December press conference announcing the suspensions for “The Buckeye Five” — quarterback Terrelle Pryor, offensive lineman Mike Adams, running back Boom Herron, wide receiver DeVier Posey and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas – athletic director Gene Smith stated that the school did not become aware of the violations until Dec. 7, a full eight months after Tressel allegedly learned of potential violations committed by members of the football program.

If in fact Tressel knew of what his players were doing and did not inform the athletic department, the football program in general and Tressel specifically could be in for significant repercussions from the NCAA and the school itself — up to and including Tressel being dismissed for cause by the university.

If Tressel failed to inform Smith or the Ohio State compliance department about the players’ dealings with Rife, he could be charged with multiple NCAA violations including unethical conduct, failure to monitor and a failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance. In general, a coach is required to act on, or pass along reasonable information about possible rule violations for further investigation.

Section 4.1(d) of Tressel’s contract with Ohio State stipulates that he “supervise and take appropriate steps to ensure … members of the Team know, recognize and comply with any such laws, University Rules and Governing Athletic Rules and immediately report to the (Athletic) Director and to the (Athletic) Department’s Office of Compliance Services in writing if any person or entity, including without limitation, representatives of Ohio State’s athletic interests, has violated or is likely to violate any such laws, University Rules and Governing Athletic Rules.”

Section 5.1 (m) of his contract also states that failure to promptly report “any violations” could lead to “termination by Ohio State for cause.”

Ohio State itself could be cited with playing ineligible players and forced to vacate its 2010 season, when it won a share of the Big Ten championship and finished 12-1. It could also face further sanctions for major infractions.

Obviously, if it can be proved that Tressel had prior knowledge of the violations and did not report it — or that it was reported to the athletic department but they did not act on it — the ramifications could be monumental for both the coach and the program.

Given what’s known publicly about Tressel and the kind of man he is, it’s hard to believe he would have this type of information on his players and just squat on it. However, Wetzel & Company have a tremendous track record of nailing stories such as this, so it’s highly doubtful they would run with something as major as this has the potential to become without having every “i” dotted and “t” crossed.

And that should be very, very sobering news for both the head coach and fans of the football program.