[sandgk]

The list included all those names, amongst others .. from the Lantern Archives

After 17 days of searching, the Buckeye’s finally have a new football coach.
Jim Tressel, the former coach at Youngstown State, will be introduced as Ohio State’s 22nd head football coach at a press conference this afternoon.
The search for a new coach has gone on well over two weeks and many names have been discussed as possible replacements.
Glen Mason, who was believed to be the other final candidate along with Tressel, has returned to his home in Minnesota.
Others who were known to be interviewed or spoken to by Geiger include OSU assistant head coach Fred Pagac, ex-Buckeye Chris Spielman, Stanford’s Tyrone Willingham and Oregon’s Mike Bellotti.
Several other names were discussed as possible replacements, but many of those candidates said they were not interested in filling the vacancy at OSU.
One thing the search committee, which was headed by Geiger and Associate Athletics Director Archie Griffin, was looking for in a new coach was a commitment to academics and a clean program.
A source closely involved with the search said, “(In Tressel) we saw someone who would build the character of student-athletes and someone who would put a high priority rate on success on and off the field.”
Dr. David Sweet, the President of Youngstown State University, echoed those sentiments when asked what coach Tressel would bring to Ohio State’s program.
“I spoke with Jim shortly after he got the call (from OSU) and obviously, I have mixed emotions. He is a great football coach with X’s and O’s, but on top of that he is an outstanding leader of young men. He builds character in his kids and teaches them about football and life in general. I am extremely proud of the job he has done here. As an Ohio State alumnus, I think they made a great choice in hiring him.”
Tressel will be officially introduced to the team at 3 p.m. this afternoon, but some players have already made their feelings known about the new head coach.
“He’s going to tighten up on academics and bring discipline back to the team,” said junior tailback Jonathan Wells. “I just want him to know that anything he wants to accomplish we can get done. As an upcoming senior, he has my backing 100 percent.”
“I am glad they decided on a coach and I hope he’s the guy the that can turn our program around.” said freshman defensive lineman Fred Sturrup.
Tressel, 47, has spent 15 seasons as the head coach for Youngstown State and led the Penguins to four Division I-AA championships. With an overall record of 135-57-2 he holds the best winning percentage in Youngstown State history.

Bob Stoops was one of those "several other names" ...

Mike on the other hand may still be campaigning for the position