Will Ohio State get in less trouble since Jim Tressel has resigned?

A	Yes. Though it may seem late, the University still acted before the NCAA took action, and this should mitigate their punishment.

B	Maybe. The Buckeyes need to be praying the NCAA has sympathy for them.

C	Hell No! Had he quit in December, it may have been possible. However, Tressel lied, lied, and lied again, and encouraged his players to do the same. He wasn't planning to quit after being caught lying. It took several other revelations to push him out the door. OSU is Screwed!

Unless you've intentionally dodged all discussions on college football over the last few months, then you have heard about the Ohio State and Jim Tressel debacle. In late December, 5 Buckeyes players were suspended for exchanging signed memorabilia for discounts on tattoos. When Coach Tressel was questioned about the events revolving around "Tattoogate," he claimed to have just learned the news concerning his players. However, this was not true.

On March 7, 2011 Rivals.com reported "Tressel was informed that several Buckeyes players were selling memorabilia more than eight months before the school claims it was made aware of the scheme...Tressel received information that players were selling items to Edward Rife – the owner of Fine Line Ink Tattoos in Columbus – as early as April 2010, according to a source."

The bad news doesn't stop with just a lie told by Tressel. Instead, on May 7, 2011 The Columbus Dispatch "found in public records that at least eight Ohio State athletes and 11 athletes' relatives bought used cars from Jack Maxton Chevrolet or Auto Direct during the past five years. The investigation will involve outside experts and examine at least 50 sales, focusing on whether the athletes received improper benefits."

And yet there was still more bad news to come. On May 27, 2011, Ohio State's student newspaper, The Lantern, interviewed former WR Ray Small. Small informed The Lantern"They have a lot (of dirt) on everybody cause everybody was doing it...Everywhere you go, while you’re in the process of playing at Ohio State. You’re going to get a deal every which way.”

Finally, on May 30, 2011, Tressel resigned as the Head Coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. This did not shock anyone. Many thought he should have resigned the day it was revealed he lied concerning when he obtained knowledge of "Tattoogate." His accomplishments as Coach of the Buckeyes include:

105-22 record overall, a winning percentage of nearly 82%
7 Big Ten Championships
8 BCS appearances
A 9-1 record versus arch rival Michigan
61 players drafted to the NFL
3 National Championship appearances
1 national Championship

Over the last few months, there has been much discussion in the media concerning whether it would be best for the Ohio State program to get rid of Tressel to show the NCAA they did not lack administrative control over their athletic programs and as a good gesture. However, it has been nearly 3 months since we all first learned Tressel lied to us. He knew before the 2010 season began the 5 players had obtained illegal material benefits, but chose to secure his #1 pre-season ranking and lie on forms stating he had no knowledge of NCAA Rules Violations over coming clean.

Will his resignation at all mitigate the impeding doom Ohio State faces?

Brian Johnson

Will Ohio State get in less trouble since Jim Tressel has resigned?

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