Jim Tressel Out at Ohio State

Jim Tressel : According to Chicago Now’s Daily Sports Tab, a journalist said this: two sources that are very close to recruiting at prominent universities confirmed that Jim Tressel will no longer be the head football coach at Ohio State University after the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas.

Despite Tressel’s phenomenal record in Columbus (well, his record vs. everyone not in the SEC anyway) this story was believable considering that 1.) Big changes like this often occur at times of crisis (the Shock Doctrine.”) Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith tweeted this at 6:42 PM CT:

Rumors not true.. So for now, the rumors are inherently discredited. Power Web Spoilers (PWSpoilers.com) invites you to "like" our fan page on Facebook. By subscribing, you will get news from the world of entertainment, music, television, celebrity gossip, professional wrestling, MMA and more straight to your news feeds. Rumors began circulating today that long-time Head Coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Jim Tressel may be coaching his last game at Ohio St. in the Sugar Bowl. As the rumor states, Ohio State recruits are being advised that Tressel will not be coaching beyond the Sugar Bowl and they've been given the option to attend other universities if they so choose.

The program was certainly shaken by the recent NCAA violations leading to Terrelle Pryor and 4 other prominent Buckeyes' suspensions for 5 games in 2011. This is certainly the largest instance of violations during Tressel's tenure, but it isn't near the scale of the violations and impending sanctions placed on USC that caused Pete Carroll to bolt for the NFL. The first, as one rumor suggests, is that Tressel will step down but it's not at all his decision. Jim Tressel has absolutely owned the Big Ten since arriving at Ohio State and he's won a national championship in the last decade. Despite some issues with Tressel's play calling, roster decisions, etc., he's still had incredible success and this year is no different.

If the NCAA is already sniffing around and Tressel and the University are aware of significant violations which could lead the NCAA to concluding that they lack "Institutional Control", then it would make perfect sense for Tressel to leave.