Tressel resigns at Ohio State

“It’s the cover-up that got Tressel, not that crime itself,” said Brent Musburger, ESPN’s college football expert, on SportsCenter this morning.

On a day that many Americans gather as a family and grill out, kicking off summer and remembering the men and women of our armed forces, Jim Tressel decided to call it a career at Ohio State, resigning amidst a cloud of NCAA investigations.

The University released these statements earlier today:

“In consultation with the senior leadership of the Board of Trustees, I have been actively reviewing matters attendant to our football program, and I have accepted Coach Tressel's resignation,” said President E. Gordon Gee. “The University's enduring public purposes and its tradition of excellence continue to guide our actions.”

Jim Tressel said, “After meeting with University officials, we agreed that it is in the best interest of Ohio State that I resign as head football coach. The appreciation that Ellen and I have for the Buckeye Nation is immeasurable.”

Athletics Director Gene Smith said, “We look forward to refocusing the football program on doing what we do best representing this extraordinary University and its values on the field, in the classroom, and in life. We look forward to supporting Luke Fickell in his role as our football coach. We have full confidence in his ability to lead our football program.”

Ray Ratto of CBSSports.com wrote, “And no, this is not a tragedy. Tragedy is when you don't have it coming. Retribution is when you do. Jim Tressel took care of himself while acting like he would never do so, and shamed himself.”

And of course, after my dad, Ohio State class of 1984, made some pretty scathing comments in late April (http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/thoughts-on-ohio-state-and-jim-tressel.html) people may want to know what he thinks.

So here you go: “Can we get rid of the cheating players too?”

The Columbus Dispatch’s website still proclaims the amount of days that have passed since Michigan last beat Ohio State. The count sits at 2,746, and in 180 days, that count might re-start. On the last Saturday in November the two schools will meet in what should be a very muted rivalry game, depending on how many Ohio State players are still eligible at that point.

According to the ESPN.com Big Ten blog, “Tressel boasts a 9-1 record against archrival Michigan and is the only Ohio State coach to defeat the Wolverines in seven consecutive games.”

But, as my dad has noted on more than one occasion, it really doesn’t matter if you can beat Michigan if you’re not doing it the right way.