Youngstown Ties Abound in Tressel Sports Illustrated Article

It's the end of an era at Ohio State University now that Jim Tressel is out as head football coach.

The announcement came nearly three months after the original two-game suspension of Tressel in the wake of a tattoo parlor scandal.

A Sports Illustrated issue that hits news stands Tuesday contains an article saying violations date back to 2002 and involve at least 28 players. Six have been suspended as part of the 2011 season for their roles in the scandal, including running back Dan Herron, a Warren Harding graduate and defensive tackle John Simon, a Cardinal Mooney graduate.

The article, "SI investigation reveals eight-year pattern of violations under Tressel," is already available online.

A good chunk of the SI article focused on Tressel's time as head coach at Youngstown State University -- where Tressel spent 15 seasons as the Penguins head coach before heading to Columbus. That includes scandals regarding former Penguins quarterback Ray Isaac, accused of accepting improper benefits back in the 1990s. The university admitted to the infractions and was penalized.

The article states when Tressel later began as coach at OSU in 2001, "(Tressel) could set a hard line with his players and the boosters, or he could go with the flow. The first indication of Tressel's choice came in 2003, when the NCAA investigated (OSU player Maurice) Clarett for receiving improper benefits."

Clarett, a Warren Harding graduate, was found to have received money and other benefits in 2003 during Tressel's third season as OSU's coach. Clarett was suspended for the 2003 season.

Right now, also at Ohio State, the Columbus Dispatch reports the NCAA and Ohio State are investigating quarterback Terrell Pryor to find out whether he received improper benefits, such as cars.
   
The paper reports Pryor has already been questioned by investigators. The quarterback will be a senior this fall.

No sooner had the ink dried on Tressel's resignation than speculation had already started about a successor as OSU's coach. Among them are Urban Meyer, the Stoops brothers -- Bob at Oklahoma and Mike at Arizona -- are both Ohio natives.

Despite having coached at the collegiate level since 1974, some who know Tressel suggest he won't be roaming anyone's sidelines anytime soon.

"It was a huge mistake. He's paying the price," said Bob Hannon, voice of YSU Penguins. "I don't think he'll ever coach again. I wouldn't be surprised to see him return to the Mahoning Valley and work with the Youngstown schools or work with the inner city, but I'm stunned like everybody else that it got to this point."

"This went from Jim Tressel being suspended for a few games to this ending his career," said former Ohio State player Alex Boone. "I don't think he'll go to the NFL. I don't think he'd coach at another college. I just don't think that's his style. So basically, these five kids just ended Jim Tressel's career."

Luke Fickell, a previously anonymous linebackers coach, will be in charge of the Buckeyes this fall.


Here's a look back at the most recent events leading up to the resignation.

    April 2, 2010: Tressel receives the first of 12 emails from Attorney Christopher Cicero saying he was told players have been selling signed memorabilia to a tattoo parlor owner. Tressel replies back saying he will "get on it ASAP."
    Sept. 13, 2010: Tressel signs an annual NCAA certificate saying he knows of no violations and has reported any possible violations.
    Dec. 7, 2010: OSU items are discovered during a raid at the tattoo parlor owner's home.
    December 2010: OSU interviews the six players involved and declares them ineligible. A five-game suspension is issued for five players and one game for another.
    January 2011: OSU finds the emails between Tressel and Cicero.
    February 2011: Tressel admits to committing an NCAA violation. He was then suspended and fined $250,000.
    May 30, 2011: OSU announces Tressel's resignation.