Report: Jim Tressel to Meet With Akron

43 Comments

Get your sweater vests ready.

Former Ohio State head coach and current Indianapolis Colts replay assistant Jim Tressel will meet with Akron about its head coaching vacancy, according to the Lake County Sentinel.

“Jim Tressel, confirmed by a source at the University of Akron was at the men’s basketball game against Detroit last Saturday night,” Justin Lada wrote. “The same source says that officials from the University will be meeting with Tressel on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.”

Tressel, 58, was an assistant for the Zips from 1975-78 after graduating from Baldwin-Wallace a year earlier and it would certainly be close to home for the Cleveland native who coached at nearby Youngstown State (1986-2000) and Ohio State (2001-10) before he resigned on Memorial Day over his role in covering up “Tattoogate” in Columbus.

Tressel, who won four FCS national titles with the Penguins and one BCS crown with the Buckeyes, would be insanely overqualified for the position, as the Zips won just two games in the last two seasons combined under ex-head coach Rob Ianello. But Tressel hasn’t been mentioned for many openings because the NCAA could hit him with a “show cause” penalty in which a school must go before the association before hiring the Sweater Vest.

Michigan fans beware: Akron is scheduled to play in Ann Arbor in 2013, in which Tressel could bring his 9-1 record against the Wolverines into the Big House. Might Tressel have something like this to say upon being hired by the Zips?

OK, we are getting ahead of ourselves.

But if we are Akron AD Tom Wistrcill, this move is a no-brainer and we’d be on our hands and knees to bring Tressel north from Columbus.

[Lake County Sentinel]

12:15 PM on 11/29/2011

Mike

Why do so many sports fans think that just because a team has a bad record that a good coach is “overqualified”?

Believe it or not, some college coaches are in it to better other human beings and challenge themselves. This would be considered one of those coaches…and one of those challenges.
- DB
  
  It’s not about the record. Tressel coached at a BCS level school that was constantly ranked in the top 10. Won a national championship, had his team in another (not mentioning his rrecord at YSU) Overqualified? I wasn’t thinking that, but I did think step back or down. As for bettering others, Tressel had baggage at both YSU & OSU. He’s a coach and leave it at that.
- Anonymous
  
  I didn’t think of it that way but, you are right and Jim Tressel is just the person that would do that.
- Ed
  
  Do any of you actually know the man? Once again tried in the media and found guilty by the NCAA, probably the most corrupt and self serving organization in sports. He would be a great coach wherever he goes, I personally would like to see him go back to a school like Akron where he started his coaching career. I believe he’s a quality individual who made a mistake and deserves another chance and whatever he decides he will be successful.
  - bob
    
    ed ,well said
Joe

I figured he might stick around to see if there is anything in indianapolis is available after this crazy season in which Caldwell should be let go.
- Tom J..
  
  I think you are right on this one, Indy needs Him as head coach…
GenoTenn

His name is Jim tRESSEL not “Sweater Vest” dork!
- Anonymous
  
  No GenoTenn, His name is really I’d Pay For Your Tats…..Oh yes he really did when he resigned!
  - Anonymous
    
    That is a low blow and not true!! Stay anonymous. Green eyed monster
treytw

Let’s hope the Chineese or someone buys the Cowboys. Anything to get rid of Jerry.
- trinjboro
  
  Here, here.
  - drdean
    
    it’s hear hear. here here is the misspelling of the ignorant or illiterate. doubly redundant if you’re a suckeye fan or from texas.
- Ezza
  
  P.S. I seriously caonnt wait til the whole SEC is under investigation for the same type of s***. You can’t tell me that every single player in all these top caliber schools are following the rules. You’re in college, you are going to do dumb s***. Don’t get me wrong, I know there are some players that do follow the rules and actually care about their school, teammates and fans. But let’s see .Cam Newton ..hmmm. Reggie Bush gets his Heisman taken away .what does Newton get? Nothing.
Paul1963

Hey wait, Penn State needs a new coach.
Chris

He’s considered overqualified because he coached successfully at Ohio State, and we’re talking about Akron here. Whether you like it or not, Akron is not in the same ballpark as Ohio State. Or even the same time zone for that matter.
- Anonymous
  
  hey dumb a**, they are in the same time zone
- Anonymous
  
  THEY ARE THE SAME TIME ZONE BY THE WAY
Hud

If coach Tressel came to Akron where he started his division 1 coaching career and earned a masters, he would perform a magnanimous act. Now that’s coaching!
osufan25

Tressel is still a class act too bad the pressure to win made him not act on problem players, instead he tried to protect players which cost him his job! His Legacy at Youngstwon State and THE Ohio State University will never be Forgotten, No way in hell will he go to akron! Tressel Urban is a great coach but you are the BEST!!!
- Chris
  
  He wasn’t protecting players, fool. He was protecting his record. He was dirty at both schools you mentioned. He’s a cheater and a liar, and THAT’S his legacy.
mudwump

HELP! We need a replacement coach for University of Central Florida! The present coach has had far too long to put something together, but has failed.

There’s a big, new stadium, 4th largest student body in the USA, Located in Orlando, Florida (Year-round golf), close to all the year-round action, etc. Plus, all the orange juice you can drink! AND, when you win, you can go to Disney World, what? a 10 minute drive? THIS PLACE HAS BIG POTENTIAL!!
In the know

I’ve meet the man, he is simply one of the best coaches on college today. He can beat you with his team, switch team come back the next week and beat you with your’s. He is a teacher, motivator, and very good at getting the most out of each and every player on the team. The problem is that the way tv, boosters, and the press hype everything the spoiled players do what they want off field and the coaches are told to look the other way because of the money the games gring in…sad the games are such a money scheme today…win at any cost…not the way we should alow it to be….anyway any team would be bless to have him!!
- Akron Alum
  
  And Urban Meyer had a better handle on that at Florida?
- JAS
  
  You forgot two things…he is a LIAR and a CHEAT!! Cut it anyway you want…it is documented that he lied to his bosses, the NCAA, his players and YOU while at OSU…and it was proven that he cheated AND LIED to his bosses, the NCAA, his players and YOU while at YSU! Your documented proof that he was told to look the other way because of the money the games bring in consists of?
jamespaulmorgan

Jim Tressel Should not ever be allowed to get another coahing job
- Anonymous
  
  Amen to THAT!!!!
DrGonzo

I’d say that figures….Akron will never be taken seriously in football, and it’s things like this that reinforce that thought. The man is a cheater, and a liar. He looks out only for himself. I’d say he’s just what the no-Zips need to really move into contention for Top 10 laughingstock programs.
Poisonous Nut

Remember Earl Bruce went to Northern Iowa, then Colorado State after coaching at OSU. He too was well over-qualified for the position. Some men just enjoy coaching. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Coach Tressel took over at Akron.
zipalum

I have followed AU sports my entire life. I went to school there. I have watched the university become an amazing place over the last 10-15 years. The president is a man who has the ability to dream big, it’s time for Akron to make a big splash in football they have been anemic since they went D-1. Granted Tressel made some mistakes but the good he has accomplished far out weigh the negatives. His father had an impeccable reputation and success record at BW. I feel Coach Jim Tressel is understandably embarrassed by what he has done to his reputation, I strongly believe he deserves a chance and I think it is well worth it to take the chance.

Dream big for once Zips!
Lakers4life1997

Itd be great to have him. It is good he defended his players and is so loyal to his state that hed even consider akron. He can do good things there. And really, why is it illegal to make money off yourself in the ncaa? That is a rule any good player SHOULD brake
Buck Fan

Well, I am a Buckeye fan. I was born and raised there. I married a Hoosier, whatever that is by the way, and now I am stuck in Indy. I will tell everyone here like I have told my wife. Caldwell is gone after this season. Tressel will be the next Indy head coach.
- Anonymous
  
  Yessir… wrap it up
John Lamb

This is not a slam, but the University of Akron will never be considered an elite Division 1 University. However they, the university board, the president, and the AD have managed to put themselves into the same class as Ohio State. Ohio State is still awaiting a hearing on failure to monitor will the NCAA. There are yet to be finalized sanctions and penalties, some of which are directed towards Jim Tressell. It could even be mandated that Akron obtain permission just to hire Tressell in any athletic function. There is neither time nor room to discuss how coaches are pressured to win at all costs, as is certainly the case. You do not need to be a great coach to win – it merely requires a good motivator, a decent coach and one who lies, cheats, covers up actions, and uses the system to build a “winner”. When that is acomplished you can recruit on your record – now you have a complete program fueled by greed, encouraged by blind administrators, pillared by unethical sponsors and donors, and perpetuated by the loyal classes of alumni who do not play sports at all, Ohio State had to hire a high profile coach to restore the image of the university because they themselves have no integrity and need someone else to show the way. At the top of his game Jim Tressell and his vaunted Buckeye team were decimated on the football field by LSU whom many stated were not in the same class as ” The Ohio State University” . So much for loyal opions; facts speak differently. As an alumnus of LSU I watched the game and loved the vicxtory. This year I was appalled at the reinstatement of Jordan Jefferson to the team after his charge of felony assauly was reduced to simple assault – assault is assault.! He should have never been there in the first place, much less been involved in a fight. LSU was winning without him but sold out for the big prize. Bend the rules, cheat, cover it up for the greater glory and the money. And now Akron wants to join the club. I did not realize that the university needed athletic funds so badly that they were willing to sell their honor and integrity. Thanks for clearing that up !
Anonymous

It’s funny to hear people complain about Tressel, and shows that they obviously have no idea what went on at tOSU.

With all the coaching vacancies opening up in football, I think Tressel can do better than Akron.
Anonymous

he was there to help pick a new coach Akron wanted his imput
- Ilham
  
  One more thing. The NCAA did not get Reggie Bush or Pete Carroll in time before they left. So I agree with them sinoticnang and stripping them after the fact. OSU and Cam Newton were all dealt with before. The NCAA had a chance to stop them but did not. I do not beleive they should be stripped of anything. How ever the Heisman committy is much more strict than the NCAA when it comes to the Heisman Trophy. Cam Newton being stripped though is inevitable. OSU I am not so sure.
rayy

I’m a Tressel fan in general and an AU alum. I don’t want him here. He cheated and must pay the price. Will probably not be eligible for a couple years.
WITHHELD FOR FEAR OF REPRISALS

TRESSEL WAS CONSULTING ONLY. I WORK AT AU, AND WE WILL NEVER GET A DECENT COACH AFTER THE REPREHENSIBLE TREATMENT OF COACH IANELLO. HE WAS FIRED ON THE WAY TO HIS MOTHERS FUNERAL FOR GODS SAKE. DISGUSTING!!!!! AND BY THE WAY 2 YEARS IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO BUILD ANYTHING WORTHWILE HERE AT AKRON, OR ANYWHERE ELSE THAT TREATS EMPLOYEES AS BAD AS THEY DO.
Dr. Kerr

The so-called tatoogate was peanuts compared to what goes on in most college athletic programs like Penn State, Syracuse, LSU, Auburn and Miami etc….
a nony moose-TOSU class of 73

jim tressel is a man .jim tressel made mistakes.jim tressel as a result of those mistakes lost the love of his life,he lost the one job he ever really wanted he lost it .i want to thank him for all the great things he did for many people on a personal basis and for the all he did for The Ohio State University.the university has grown and prospered and yes football played a large role in the funding of academic programs and other less known sports.i don’t condone the lies he told, but not only would i want to play for him he is the coach i would want my son to play for .his players loved him
vikemom

Any university would be fortunate to have Jim Tressel at the helm of its football program. It’s so interesting to watch individuals spew out comments that clearly have little or no basis in fact, and trash another human being’s reputation in the process. Many believe that Mr. Gene Smith has his job today because Jim Tressel took a hit for Ohio State. There is so much that we (the public) do not know about the situation at Ohio State – why weigh in negatively?
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