A sad day to be a Buckeye!!!

[Diggin Deep]

For those of you that follow sports, you have probably heard about the Buckeyes players who traded sports memorabilia for tattoos..."TattooGate"...that happened 3 years ago and finally came out at the end of last season. Yesterday, you probably heard all over sports talk radio and ESPN that Coach Tressel has known about it for 9 months and did not report the information to his superiors...a major violation.

A little history about Coach Tressel (The Sweater Vest and The Senator) since he took the coaching position at The Ohio State University...Go Bucks! His resume boasts 1 National Championship, 9-1 record against Michigan, a 5-3 record in BCS Bowls and 7 Big Ten Championships since coming to Ohio State.

That being said...there is no defense for what he did. Especially for a man who extolls his virtues of faith, chairty, and character. How could he not come forward that he knew of these potential violations when they were uncovered in December and he was specifically asked if he had prior knowledge? On a positive note...the University took swift action. The AD and his department has worked directly with the NCAA throughout their own investigation and should limit whatever penalties might be forthcoming from the NCAA. No one can deny that Ohio State has owned up to their mistakes and haven't chose to hide their head in the sand like so many other programs.

Yes, Tressel made a mistake. Yes, the legacy of The Vest has been tarnished. But it's not as if the Tressesl is the first "saintly" coach to have run afoul of the NCAA. In your opinion...is the 2 game suspension fair? Should Ohio State or the NCAA have enforced a harsher punishment? Is one mistake enough to end someone's career?

 

[Azazel]

​

 

[AUFred]

I read about it yesterday. I am an Auburn fan so I instantly thought about the Big 10 commissioner and his comments about the SEC & Auburn in particular. Things which should not go on happen everywhere. I think Tressell made a huge judgement error. It also puts ESPN in a particularly bad situation since they were lobbying for Tressell's sainthood. Yeah that was sarcasm.

 

[Alien Allen]

If MI had done that you would have crucified them

His actions deserve far more than a 2 game suspension against cupcakes

The Big Ten Commissioner is a tool also if he does not do more about this. I will bet you the NCAA is not going to settle for this minor slap on the wrist.

As is typically the case the initial crime was minimal. It is the cover up that is unconscionable. He should be fired but since he is god at OSU and he wins they will no doubt keep him.

This guy has a checkered past. Clorret along with the stank he left at Youngstown.

Go Blue

 

[Diggin Deep]

If MI had done that you would have crucified them

I would not have crucified MI for this (Muck Fichigan). I'm not one to judge regardless of my devotion to O-H-I-O!!! I am a firm believer that people make mistakes, and regardless of how innocent or not the mistake was, their should be some form of "fair" punishment. I think the fact that Ohio State and it's departments have cooperated with the NCAA speaks for itself.

 

[Alien Allen]

I would not have crucified MI for this (Muck Fichigan). I'm not one to judge regardless of my devotion to O-H-I-O!!! I am a firm believer that people make mistakes, and regardless of how innocent or not the mistake was, their should be some form of "fair" punishment. I think the fact that Ohio State and it's departments have cooperated with the NCAA speaks for itself.

OSU did not cooperate. That is the mistake you are making.

Ohio State's punishment for Jim Tressel is a joke


It's comical and fake and borderline insulting. Jim Tressel did about the worst job imaginable trying to explain his program's ugliest misdeed, quasi-apologizing for whatever it was he did, or didn't do, or should have done.
Ohio State football is reeling, and Tressel will need all the Teflon he can pack inside his sweater vest. The NCAA needs to keep looking and keep hammering, and keep asking why it was misled and duped about the involvement of five players in a memorabilia-for-tattoos setup.
The Buckeyes' 2010 season must be thrown under immediate scrutiny for the use of ineligible players, with all the victories possibly wiped out. Tressel has earned multiple layers of Teflon in 10 years with Ohio State. Winning does that, and beating Michigan does that.
But if you think Ohio State is untouchable, you probably thought Michigan was untouchable. Whatever you think of the seriousness of the NCAA violations under Rich Rodriguez, Michigan owned up to it.
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The difference here is the coach's standing. Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee practically giggled when he said Tressel wouldn't be fired, and even joked he hoped the coach wouldn't dismiss the president.
I half-expected during his rambling comments Tuesday night for Tressel to do one of those fake coughs and mutter under his breath, "Nine, cough-cough, and one." That's his record against Michigan, which is why he can lie and get away with it. Well, he didn't totally get away with it, suspended two games and fined $250,000. Those two games are against Akron and Toledo, which is ridiculous.
At the very least, Tressel should be suspended for the same five games as five of the players — Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, Solomon Thomas — involved in Tattoo-gate. This is Buckeyes buffoonery at its finest, and after years of watching the Ohio State beat up on Michigan, it's fascinating to watch the behemoth's lips quiver.
Coach does nothing

Rivalries are great, and hey, maybe the Wolverines are partly culpable for Tressel's arrogance because their failures added to his stature. But there also are signs the Buckeyes are willing to pay a higher cost to stay on top, as they again dance around eligibility issues with players.
Tressel is a tremendous coach, 106-22 in Columbus, including a national title with the troubled Maurice Clarett. But what he tried to pull here is deplorable, misleading the NCAA and lying to his bosses, then pretending it was all about protecting a couple of players in the midst of a confidential federal drug investigation.
Tressel probably would have kept deceiving if the school didn't discover e-mails from the attorney who first alerted him players were exchanging memorabilia for cash and tattoos.
The tattoo parlor owner, Eddie Rife, apparently was a target of the federal investigation, and upon learning this in April, Tressel did what any deeply concerned, father-figure coach would do:He did nothing. He reported it to nobody because he said he didn't know who to report it to.
He kept practicing the players, then used them all season, until the story finally came out in December. Even then, Ohio State made darn sure the players were eligible to beat Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, with the backing of Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany. You think Delany feels duped today?
In the e-mails released by school officials, the confidentiality request wasn't made by the lawyer until the second one, two weeks after the first. And Tressel's response decidedly was tepid. That makes it even more laughable when he talks about keeping quiet because he was "scared."
Scared of drug guys? Or scared of going into the Buckeyes 2010 season without Pryor and other stars?
"Thanks for your help … keep me posted as to what I need to do if anything," Tressel wrote back to the unnamed lawyer.
History of violations

Even if Tressel legitimately was confused and truly thought he was protecting his players, and even though it violated his contract by not reporting an NCAA violation to his superiors, how does he justify lying in December? Tressel said he knew nothing about it until then, although the e-mails confirmed he knew in April.
An uncovered cover-up always makes it worse. I know Tressel has an image of a conservative, honorable man, but ask yourself this: Does an accomplished head coach, at the age of 58, suddenly develop an affinity for deception?
Considering the Buckeyes reportedly have 375 self-admitted (mostly minor) violations the past 10 years, and previous stars Clarett and Troy Smith were suspended for various offenses, it's hard to believe this is Tressel's first ride on the Double-Speak Deception Carousel. In fact, he has NCAA violations going to his days as the coach at Youngstown State.
Tressel said he was sincerely saddened by the whole affair, but you wonder if he's sincerely sorry. Saddened he got caught, I'm sure, and sorry the strength of the Teflon Tress Vest is finally being tested.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110310/OPINION03/103100347/Ohio-State’s-punishment-for-Jim-Tressel-is-a-joke#ixzz1GDQiucnY
​

 

[Diggin Deep]

He should be fired but since he is god at OSU and he wins they will no doubt keep him.

Only to keep the debate going...

I admit that Tressel made a costly mistake with his bad judgment call and needs to be punished for it. To think that he would be dismissed for one, although major, NCAA violation is laughable. The motivations for those calling for his job might be in question, but I doubt he was ever in jeopardy of not remaining head football coach at The Ohio State University.

I feel the national media has taken this a little far and has been irresponsible in its lack of perspective. From the moment the scandal broke, the majority of the national media has been salivating over the demise of Jim Tressel. One reporter said, "It never seemed like Tressel would be a prime suspect to be burned at the stake." But, there's Colin Cowherd comparing Ohio State to Enron and throwing around the term "death penalty". There's Mark Schlabach openly rooting for Jim Tressel to be fired while spitting on what's left of his reputation. SI.com's Stewart Mandel was practically gloating on Twitter over Ohio St.'s violation and rubbing it in the face of Buckeye nation. Did I miss something along the way? Is Jim Tressel the John Calipari of college football? Terms like "lack of institutional control" are being thrown around after ONE violation for Jim Tressel. And to attempt to tie in this violation to former basketball coach Jim O'Brien's violations under a different AD is a bridge too far. This is not USC, who's football AND basketball programs were uncontrollable or Tennessee or North Carolina who have had multiple violations regarding recruiting and benefits.

Maybe it's the fall of a pious man of virtue that is so appealing, but there has definitely been an overreaction on the part of the national media towards Jim Tressel's costly mistake.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Oh I couldn't agree more regarding their President E. Gordon Gee. The NCAA reported that the University and the AD Gene Smith have been very helpful and open regarding all details since the investigation began. However, for Tressel and President E. Gordon Gee these accolades do not apply.

Of course, E. Gordon didn't make any friends with his infamous "little sisters of the poor" comments towards the likes of TCU and Boise St. But, his performance at last night's press conference was far more revolting, especially as a prior Ohio St. student. Last night was not the time for E. Gordon to praise Tressel for his acts of service, or to joke about his job security. Unity is one thing, but to laugh off the serious mistake Jim Tressel made was humiliating as a current student. The worst quote was when E. Gordon was asked about Tressel's job security, "I'm just hoping the coach doesn't dismiss me."

Are you kidding me?...you bowtie wearing, Orville Redenbacher knockoff! He is the PRESIDENT of the largest and greatest university in the country, not a flunkie for the football team! He is the leader of over 5,000 faculty and 60,000 students. I used to believe Ohio St. the institution was always larger than, and more important than, any of its athletic programs, even the football team. Now, after the school's president embarrassingly acted more like a male cheerleader than a leader, I'm not so sure.

 

[Alien Allen]

It is in his contract that this was a fireable offense.

 

[Diggin Deep]

It is in his contract that this was a fireable offense.

I know

 

[Diggin Deep]

And regardless...I gave ya positive rep

 

[Alien Allen]

But you said it would be laughable for him to be fired over this:eek

 

[Diggin Deep]

But you said it would be laughable for him to be fired over this:eek

Despite the fact that the contract that he read and signed stated he it was a fireable offense...I find it to be "laughable" to think he would be fired, considering it was his first offense at Ohio State. I also only used the world "laughable" for sake of the debate. I'll be the first to admit he deserved to be punished. As the press has debated, depending on what side of the fence they are on, some feel that he should not have been suspended at all and some feel he should be fired. It's ultimately up for the University and the NCAA to decide. Regardless...1st mistake or not, it was disgraceful to say the least and yet another black eye on the reputation of The Ohio State University.

 

[retro]

So wait... Gordon Gee's coach is worse than the coaches at the Little Sisters of the Poor?

Tressel should've been strung up for this... but it's Ohio State, oh wait... the Ohio State University. If this were practically anyone else, the ESPN talking heads would be calling for Tressel's job. A two game suspension is a joke... just like the four game, oh but you can play in the bowl game suspension of the four players in question.

It's just a giant fucking joke.

 

[Diggin Deep]

So wait... Gordon Gee's coach is worse than the coaches at the Little Sisters of the Poor?

Tressel should've been strung up for this... but it's Ohio State, oh wait... the Ohio State University. If this were practically anyone else, the ESPN talking heads would be calling for Tressel's job. A two game suspension is a joke... just like the four game, oh but you can play in the bowl game suspension of the four players in question.

It's just a giant fucking joke.

I agree...the players involved in the TattooGate should not have been allowed to play in the Bowl Game. I'm glad we won, but not under those circumstances. However, I do feel if there had been more infractions on Tressel's career at Ohio State, the punishment would have been far greater. I think the politics and how the same rules apply differently to each University are BS. This is just an opinion, but I feel that with the amount of money colleges make off of their athletic departments, especially football, and the athletes...the athletes themselves should be able to do whatever they want with their jerseys, rings, memorabilia. Grant it...you go to college to earn an education.

Just rambling...

 

[retro]

It's just frustrating... us "mid-major" or non automatic qualifying schools get shit on because we're not in a r"real" conference, because the big six have pretty much shut us out. But schools like Auburn cheat their way to the Mythical National Championship, Tressel sweeps this tattoo issue under the rug in order to keep from damaging his program.

Yet my school, Fresno State, is one of the cleanest run programs in all of D1 FBS, to the point where Pat Hill suspended our best OLB from our bowl game because he broke a team rule. But the NCAA lets Pryor and the rest of them play in their bowl game in order to appease their BCS masters. The whole thing just makes me fucking sick... all CFB is about is making money at this point, and that's why the Big 6 have shutout the other 5 + Army/Navy.

/rant

 

[Diggin Deep]

It's just frustrating... us "mid-major" or non automatic qualifying schools get shit on because we're not in a r"real" conference, because the big six have pretty much shut us out. But schools like Auburn cheat their way to the Mythical National Championship, Tressel sweeps this tattoo issue under the rug in order to keep from damaging his program.

Yet my school, Fresno State, is one of the cleanest run programs in all of D1 FBS, to the point where Pay Hill suspended our best OLB from our bowl game because he broke a team rule. But the NCAA lets Pryor and the rest of them play in their bowl game in order to appease their BCS masters. The whole thing just makes me fucking sick... all CFB is about is making money at this point, and that's why the Big 6 have shutout the other 5 + Army/Navy.

/rant

I agree with you 100% Did I just say that??? Like I said...It is sad to see how the NCAA makes up rules, only for them to enforce those rules differnently depending on the player and the University. I think as a whole...the NCAA does a good job, but it is when these types of things come up that we see how much politics are involved and how bias the organization truly is.

 

[Alien Allen]

Just goes to show what we always said here about OSU

Buckeyes are a bunch of friggin nuts

 

[Diggin Deep]

Just goes to show what we always said here about OSU

Buckeyes are a bunch of friggin nuts

You know it! I really wish I could change my name from Diggin Deep to BuckeyesNut or BuckeyeNuts

 

[retro]

This is pathetic...

Christopher Cicero, a walk-on player for the Buckeyes in the early 1980s, said in his first interview that it has been a stressful time since his name and e-mails to Tressel were revealed.

A fan of the Buckeyes' program, Cicero said he doesn't want to be considered the "Judas" in the controversy, and added he has received some death threats in the past few days.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6206052