Jim Tressel (official thread)

[BayBuck]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

Tresssel, in five seasons at OSU, has an overall record of 50-13, a National Championship, two Big Ten co-championships, a 19-game winning streak, National Coach of the Year honors, five bowl appearances, three victories in as many BCS bowl games and three top-five finishes in the national polls.

I love when they spell it all out like that--and I wouldn't be surprised to see Matta's resume read pretty similarly 5 years from now.

[WestEnd]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

hilarious fark posted by HH on bn:

That's from:

http://tresselsworld.blogspot.com/

A website that is HILARIOUS in it's absurdity. I was almost crying reading huge sections of it. (WARNING: Don't visit this site if you are one of those tight-ass "I'm so offended by your lack of respect for tOSU" email writing types. It pretty much makes a mockery of Tressel the same way Tressel makes a mockery of *ichigan football)

[notfadeaway]

Wow someone has way too much time on their hands

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

3/10

RUMBLINGS
Friday, March 10, 2006
BOB HUNTER
<!--PHOTOS-->
Is Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel working part time as a Marshall University fundraiser?
Well, not officially. But he is going to be the featured speaker at the school’s 28 th annual Big Green Scholarship Foundation Dinner on April 25, and proceeds from the banquet go to support athletics scholarships at the school.
It is obviously not just another speaking appearance for Tressel. Marshall coach Mark Snyder served on Tressel’s Youngstown State staff from 1991 to 1996 and on his Ohio State staff from 2001 to 2004, the last year as defensive coordinator. Tressel’s Youngstown State teams defeated Marshall twice in Division I-AA championship games, 25-17 in 1991 and 17-5 in 1993. The Thundering Herd beat the Penguins 31-28 in 1992 for the first of its two national titles.
Marshall athletics director Bob Marcum said Tressel’s "stature on the national level is equal to any speaker we’ve ever had," which apparently explains the $2,000 price for corporate tables seating eight people that include special gifts and a "private reception" with Tressel. Individual tickets are $75 per person.

[osugrad21]

ABJ

3/13

Tressel in his element as Mr. Savvy

By Tom Reed

<!-- begin body-content --> Jim Tressel helped sing Happy Birthday to 103-year-old Massillon resident Ralph Cornell on Monday afternoon at the Four Winds Restaurant.
Then, one of college football's best recruiters decided to play matchmaker.
Seems the Ohio State football coach knows a 102-year-old Buckeyes fan named Opal who has sent photos of herself and of her home to Tressel.
``I could see there were two pictures hanging up in her room,'' Tressel told a packed house at the weekly Pro Football Hall of Fame Club Luncheon. ``One was of me and the other might have been of you, Ralph.''
The room convulsed in laughter.
Like Sinatra playing the Copa Room or Springsteen at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, Tressel is in his element when he makes his annual appearance at one of the nation's best sports luncheon clubs.
If that makes him sound like a performer, the reference is not totally unintended. All big-time college coaches realize ``working a room'' is part of the job. But watching Tressel in this environment gives you a glimpse of what makes the man such a terrific recruiter and coach.
Tressel is organized, good with people and his mind is quicker than Ted Ginn Jr. in the open field.
The coach asked Buckeyes offensive lineman and GlenOak graduate T.J. Downing to address the room of 361 patrons. After Downing delivered a prospectus on the Buckeyes offensive line, Tressel quizzed him on the number of days remaining until the next OSU-Michigan game.
Downing responded 167. Tressel said 250.
``At least T.J. will be ready early,'' Tressel deadpanned.
The coach at one point stood directly behind the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Downing so as to purposely eclipse himself from the crowd. More laughter.
This is an older, sports savvy audience that, after a good meal, feels no shame in nodding off if the speaker can't hold its attention. Tressel talked for 45 minutes. The spectators were locked in. Three-hundred-and-sixty-one pairs of eyes never losing focus on the nattily-attired coach with hair as perfect as the Werewolf of London that Warren Zevon describes sipping a pina colada at Trader Vic's.
Someone asked Tressel when he was going to coach the Browns.
``The Browns are in great hands with Romeo Crennel,'' Tressel said without hesitation. ``And now they have the best center in the NFL in LeCharles Bentley (a former OSU standout and St. Ignatius graduate).''
Tressel is at the apex of his power. He delivered a 2002 national championship in his second season. He survived the Maurice Clarett scandal that hurt his reputation and called into question his integrity.
He is 4-1 against Michigan. He is 4-1 in bowl games, including three BCS bids. He is worshipped by Buckeye Nation despite his penchant for conservative play calling and leniency in dealing with player disciplinary issues.
Tressel is so popular because he continues to win and make whistle stops like this one. He said Monday's appearance marked his 20th at the luncheon club. He was a big draw even as the likable coach winning Division I-AA national titles at Youngstown State.
Ohio is his passion and it's reflected in Tressel's recruitment of our region. Dustin Fox. Justin Zwick. Rob Sims. Mike Kudla. Tyler Everett. Antonio Pittman. Chris Wells. Downing. Kurt Barton... Every time the coach cited a local player Monday he made sure to mention his high school.
Such attention to detail is a Tressel hallmark. More than 40 minutes after singing Happy Birthday, the coach said he had to cut short his talk because Cornell needed time to drive to Columbus ``for his date with Opal.''
Reached by phone, Cornell said he could be swayed if Tressel sweetened the offer.
``We'd need tickets to the (Michigan) game,'' Cornell said.

[osugrad21]

Canton Rep

3/14

Tressel feels right at home right here
Tuesday, March 14, 2006 <table style="margin: 10px -3px 15px 5px; position: relative;" align="right" border="0" width="300"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td>

Ohio State head football Coach Jim Tressel spoke Monday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club’s weekly meeting. Tressel has been a featured speaker since he was a coach at Youngstown State.
Repository Michael S. Balash

</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> CANTON TWP. - The short, tan man doesn’t command a presence.
Undoubtedly, though, he has one. As soon as Jim Tressel walked through the doors for his 20th annual visit in front of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club, he received a loud ovation. As he passed each table, a new group began to applaud.
The standing ovation was reserved for his official introduction, as if he needed one with this group. They’re practically family.
Tressel can work a room. He helped Ralph Cornell celebrate his 103rd birthday during a ceremony honoring Cornell as the oldest club member. Tressel sang “Happy Birthday” loud and proud along with 360 others to Cornell, who was presented a cake by 23-year-old Shane Conwell, the club’s youngest member.
And then Tressel offered to play matchmaker.
“You know, Ralph,” Tressel said. “I got a letter from Opal McAllister, and she’s 102. Her birthday is Nov. 16 and ... Ralph, I’ve got her phone number and address.”
Cornell, dressed in an Ohio State jacket and tie, just may take up the offer. If the two centenarians meet at an Ohio State game, it could mean something.
Tressel, at least Monday, seemed to be half Opie Taylor, half John F. Kennedy. His speech has annually drawn the largest crowd since he became Ohio State’s head coach. A five-year, 50-13 record — with a combined 8-2 against Michigan and bowl opponents — and three BCS wins will do that.
BIG EXPECTATIONS
When the 2005 college football season ended, few would disagree the Buckeyes were one of the best teams in the country.
But the Buckeyes head coach is pretty indifferent to what people think in March of his 2006 team. Ohio State is expected to be a preseason top five pick, and Las Vegas oddsmakers have installed them as the favorite to win the national title.
“It’s irrelevant what everybody is saying at the beginning,” Tressel said. “The only thing that’s remembered is what they say about you at the end.”
EXPERIENCE ON OFFENSE
Tressel is counting on a veteran group to stay grounded and not float on the media rankings of teams who haven’t played a game.
Ohio State will have 18 fifth-year seniors and 12 fourth-year juniors next season. Tressel also is counting on quarterback Troy Smith to improve on his lofty play of a year ago.
“He has to take it to the next level,” Tressel said. “Offensively, we have a chance, but we’re going to have to be more physical than we’ve ever been, and we’re going to have to handle the ball better than we ever have.”
Smith got off to a slow start last season but finished strong. Against Michigan and Notre Dame, he completed 46-of-65 passes for 642 yards, three TDs and no interceptions. The Glenville High School graduate threw for 2,282 yards, 16 TDs and four interceptions as a junior. He also ran for 611 yards and 11 TDs.
“Troy has done an excellent job growing into the position,” Tressel said. “The barometer for a quarterback is how much better does his decision making get?”
Ohio State has to replace two starters on the offensive line and wide receiver Santonio Holmes. “The key in my mind is just how physical can we be up front?” Tressel said.
holes to fill on defense
Defense is another story. Ohio State loses nine starters, including All-America linebacker A.J. Hawk. Much of spring practice, which begins March 30, will be devoted to weeding out the contenders for nine openings. Carrollton’s Chad Hoobler is a candidate at linebacker, and North Canton’s Curt Lukens is a possibility at safety.
“Over the last four or five years at Ohio State, (high rankings) is nothing unusual,” said right guard T.J. Downing, a GlenOak graduate who attended Monday with Tressel. “The hardest part is getting a group of guys not to believe the hype. Jim Thome had a license plate, ‘DBTH.’ Don’t Believe The Hype. Wherever you are at with rankings, we have to put that aside and play the schedule. That’s when you find out what you’re about.”
Next week’s speaker is former University of Cincinnati basketball coach Bob Huggins.

Reach Repository sports writer Todd Porter at (330) 580-8340 or e-mail: todd.porter@cantonrep.com