Latest news with #JimTressel
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Mandel: Michigan's loss of integrity is biggest hit in Stalions scandal, not NCAA penalty
Once upon a time, a future Hall of Fame coach lost his job in disgrace for lying on an NCAA compliance form in claiming he knew of no unreported NCAA violations by his players. The condemnation was harsh, especially from fans of his archrival who had tired of losing to him every year. 'Spare us the hymnal, cooler-poopers,' wrote MGoBlog. 'Jim Tressel is was a football coach, not a social worker. As he did this, he turned boys into men like every football coach does. This just makes him a football coach. He's also a hypocrite and liar who lived up to the 'Senator' nickname in the end, his moral rectitude just a cover.' Advertisement My, how the tables have turned. These days, the phrase 'hypocrite(s) and liar(s)' ought to be added to the lyrics of 'Hail to the Victors.' On Friday, the NCAA Committee on Infractions memorialized what we'd long suspected about Michigan's football program under former coach Jim Harbaugh. Forget lying while filling out paperwork. These guys lied to people's faces. Over and over and over. 'The effort to obstruct (the investigation), and the failure to cooperate aggravated what happened here,' said COI chief hearing officer Norman Bay. 'It made what would have been a serious violation even more serious.' Former coach Jim Harbaugh, now basking in the Los Angeles sun, first got the Wolverines in trouble last year for lying to NCAA investigators about meeting a recruit at a burger joint during a period when recruiting visits were forbidden. He claimed not to remember it, despite receipts and photos suggesting otherwise. The Michigan fan base's spin: Big deal, it's a hamburger. But Burgergate was just a prelude to Spygate, the much-chronicled scheme by which former support staffer Connor Stalions spent three years buying tickets for friends to go to Michigan opponents' games and film their signals. Amusingly, we now know he referred to them as the KGB. If you watched last year's Netflix documentary 'Sign Stealer,' you know Stalions lies to people as nonchalantly as a cat chews up furniture. He'd have you believe he was a StubHub broker with overzealous friends. 'It's kind of like when your aunt gets you a Christmas present that you already have,' he said. 'You're not going to be rude and be like, 'Oh, I already have this, I don't need it.'' According to the NCAA's report, poor, put-upon Stalions also did things like throw his incriminating phone into a pond before investigators could seize it, tell a player to cover for him if interviewed and instructed a couple of interns to destroy the evidence. Advertisement The Michigan fan base's spin for all this became the school's official response as well. 'Michigan noted that the limitation on in-person scouting was adopted as a cost-saving measure — not as an attempt to reduce competitive advantage by limiting the observation of opponents,' the COI wrote. Accordingly, Michigan argued that scouting is not related to honesty, sportsmanship or competitive balance. Because nothing says honesty and sportsmanship like a covert operation nicknamed 'the KGB.' Lest you think Stalions was the only one destroying evidence, the report confirms that current head coach Sherrone Moore, then Harbaugh's offensive coordinator, deleted 52 text messages with Stalions, 'approximately 30 minutes after news of the allegations broke.' His initial response when asked about this was that 'he attempted to blame the lack of retention on storage space.' For committing essentially the same NCAA sin Tressel did, Moore will serve a three-game suspension — two this year, one next. But only after Michigan gets past its big Oklahoma game in Week 2. Harbaugh is now exiled from college coaching until 2038. He doesn't care. Stalions' show-cause is for eight years. Nobody cares. Whatever sanctions the committee levied were never going to satisfy Michigan's critics. It's been heavily neutered since 2011. The membership has steered away from postseason bans because they 'unfairly penalize student-athletes for the actions of coaches and staff who are no longer (there).' Instead, the committee issued an eight-figure fine equivalent to two years' postseason revenue. That's no small thing in the revenue-sharing era, when even Michigan athletics runs a deficit, but unlikely to deter the next Harbaugh or Stallions. Nor can the NCAA take away Michigan's 2023 national championship, because the College Football Playoff is not an NCAA championship. And Bay explained Friday that vacating wins is only used in instances involving ineligible players. Advertisement Therefore, Michigan keeps its national title, and now nothing can keep it from competing for another one this year. To which Wolverines fans will surely say — worth it. But the reputational hit that school has taken these past two years is no small thing. 'Everyone cheats' has long been a mantra in college athletics, but Michigan, more than most, has long sold integrity as core to its brand. Harbaugh, you'll recall, was once hailed as the definitive 'Michigan Man.' There's no official criteria that makes a 'Michigan Man,' besides having played or coached at Michigan, but Harbaugh himself tried to define it at his news conference after winning the national championship. 'Doing something that's bigger than for yourself,' he said. 'Caring about somebody other than yourself. Never being outworked, doing right. You don't lie, you don't cheat, you don't steal.' So much for that. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
I witnessed Tressel's God given talents in the locker room. We need him as governor
Tressel for Ohio governor As a former player coached by Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel at the start of his career, I know he has never wavered on who he is or where he came from. His leadership skills have been tested and proven successful. He makes great decisions on what's best for everyone and not just for a few. That is what great leadership is. If he chooses to run for governor, I know it's going to serve the state of Ohio and not to be the president of the United States once his term is completed. I also know, as a coach, he will unite Republicans and Democrats. I have witnessed in a locker room where Jim brings players together, molding them for one common goal: to do what's best for the team. That is the type of leadership we need to unite us all. I also have an opinion that it won't take millions of dollars to get him elected or to be nominated to represent the Republican Party. Good common sense that comes from a gift from God will prevail if he chooses to get into the mix. My success in 55 years of building businesses that employ over 125 hardworking, team-oriented individuals, some with and most without a college education, comes from those same values that were instilled upon me — those experiences and what I learned in my early years from men like Jim Tressel. This type of leadership is his gift from God. With his start at the University of Akron as a steppingstone, it enabled him to lead and win championships everywhere he has been. If his choice is to run, we could be proud to call him governor. Keith Luck, 1976 Zip Player #54, Clinton This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Tressel's skills a gift from God. Ohio needs him as governor. | Letter Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why it may be too late for Jim Tressel, Sherrod Brown to join governor's race
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The race for Ohio governor in 2026 is already well under way, more than a year before the election. 'This is really early for a governor's race to sort of start and almost end,' Republican strategist Matt Dole said. 'It's just been a combination of the party wanting to see the primary over earlier and a candidate coming in and using sort of a national name for himself.' Here's where things stand: On the Republican side, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy is the frontrunner. Ramaswamy is endorsed by President Donald Trump and the Ohio GOP. He has raised $9.6 million already for his campaign. Small business owner Heather Hill is also vying for the Republican nomination. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague both were part of the Republican primary but ultimately dropped out at varying points. Former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton remains the only Democrat currently in the race. With only one major candidate on each side, both parties are waiting to see who else will jump in. Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel (R-Ohio) still will not say what his plans are. 'No news on this front,' Tressel said on Tuesday. Dole said Tressel's time to jump in has long passed and said it would have needed to happen before the Ohio Republican Party endorsed Ramaswamy. Ohio woman hopes BOOM! will help her win national music competition 'Jim Tressel can't get in the race at this point,' he said. 'Vivek Ramaswamy just announced $9.5 million raised in four and half months. Jim Tressel is a universally known name in the state of Ohio, but he still has to build a campaign, which he's never done, he's never been a candidate for office. And I think as the former head coach of Ohio State, he can read a scouting report and knows that it's probably past the opportunity.' 'Vivek Ramaswamy has done a pretty good job of rallying all the troops on his side, both in state and then of course with his support from Trump and the MAGA movement at large,' Democratic strategist Morgan Harper said. Harper agreed with Dole – that Tressel has the name ID on lock, but the timing may have gotten away from him. Democrats are waiting to see if people like former Senator Sherrod Brown or former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan throw their hats into the race. 'No denying that they would still have the ability to enter, but the clock is ticking for them too,' Harper said. 'For a Democrat to be competitive in the 2026 governor's race, they are going to have to raise a lot of money. And it's tough to raise money at any time for democrats at this point in Ohio, but particularly in an off-cycle race for an in-state election like governor.' Harper said for Democrats to be competitive in the 2026 race, they need to focus on grassroots efforts, 'to connect with people directly and really drive turnout.' She said they also need to have a strong message. 'Getting started on that early, really showing that you have a message that's going to change the trajectory for Ohio democrats that unfortunately we've been seeing a lot of losses over the last few cycles,' Harper said. 'That isn't going to happen overnight and so that's really the time pressure here is making sure that we have enough runway to raise the big sums that Vivek Ramaswamy has already shown. He has the personal resources and the MAGA movement behind him to generate a lot of resources.' And Dole said the next steps for Ramaswamy will be deciding on a running mate who will help him reach more Ohioans. 'I think his team is looking at the general election math, right, I think he sees that he has the primary election sown up. He's looking at general election math and if he sees an area, whether its geographically, whether its diversity. Whatever it is that he feels he needs to fill, he will do that,' Dole said. Not only will Ohio elect a new governor in 2026 but all executive branch office holders in Ohio are also term limited. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
What we're watching in Columbus this July
As our calendars flip to July, here are a few things we've got marked on them. 🎆 It's a busy week, with Independence Day celebrations and the annual Doo Dah Parade on the horizon. People will start camping out for Red, White & Boom beginning 6pm Wednesday. 🎡 Other annual entertainment staples: the downtown Jazz & Rib Fest (July 18-20) and the Ohio State Fair (July 23-Aug. 3). Don't forget the smaller Franklin County Fair in Hilliard (July 14-20). 👀 Governor's race: GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has already raised a ton of money for his 2026 campaign. Will it keep Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and others from entering the race? ⚽ The Leagues Cup: The Crew are the reigning champs of the annual competition, which starts again July 29. 💵 Gov. Mike DeWine signed the state budget Monday night, and we'll recap what's impacted in Wednesday's newsletter. 🎬 It's a bird, it's a plane — it's "Superman: Legacy," debuting in theaters next week.
New York Post
24-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Urban Meyer details the secret 14-year grudge he's holding against Sports Illustrated
Some grudges never go away. That is the case with former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer. Meyer revealed on 'The Triple Option Podcast' last week that he's holding onto some lingering anger against Sports Illustrated over a story from 14 years ago that detailed the Buckeye program's memorabilia-for-ink scandal and put then-coach Jim Tressel on the cover. 'I still hold a grudge about that whole thing,' Meyer said. 'I know Jim Tressel. I followed him, so I know exactly what his program was all about. And that was wrong. The support Tressel received in Columbus, I don't think was fair, and certainly the national [media], it's actually a joke, to be honest with you.' 3 Urban Meyer with Ohio State. AP On June 6, 2011, SI published its story by writers George Dohrmann and David Epstein that detailed the scandal in which six players from the Ohio State football team had traded memorabilia for cash or tattoos, one being star quarterback Terrelle Pryor. SI's report showed that the Department of Justice's December 2010 investigation didn't go back far enough — going back to 2002, it involved over 28 players. The story led to the resignation of Tressel as the Ohio State head coach. Meyer took over as head coach after Luke Fickell's season as interim in 2011, and he was left to deal with the fallout: the Buckeyes were banned from the postseason in 2012, placed on two-year probation, and lost five football scholarships for a three-year period. 3 Urban Meyer on 'The Triple Option' podcast. The Triple Option/YouTube 3 Former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel The Plain Dealer /Landov 'I know this one well because I lived it,' Meyer said. 'Our 2012 team went undefeated and was not able to compete (in the postseason). We would have played Notre Dame for the national championship that year. It was very punitive. Jim Tressel, whom I know well — once again, I know this case because I lived it, and I was hired directly after Coach Tressel resigned. There was no competitive advantage (to the penalties). 'They were trading memorabilia for tattoos. Competitive advantage, zero. There's nothing there. Was it wrong? Yes. Jim Tressel was accused of lying. … He was aware of (the trading). He ended it. … But the inconsistency of that penalty, to this day, still bothers me.' Tressel went on to become the president of Youngstown State University from 2014-2023 and in February of 2025, was sworn in as the 67th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio. Meyer, on the other hand, coached the Buckeyes until 2018, until he endured his own set of scandals that led to his retirement after the 2018 season. He won a national championship with Ohio State in 2014. He went on to coach the NFL's Jaguars in a disastrous stint that saw him fired with a 2-11 record and spate of on- and off-the-field controversies.
