Not a good press conference from a PR standpoint. I did not get a good grap of his reasons for not notifying the AD and University president about the e-mail.
Very disappointing the whole thing. I'm not buying at all this rationalization that he didn't know what to do, he was afraid of violating confidentiality...I have to call BS on that. He had a team that was veteran, coming off a great Rose Bowl game, that had a NC run in them. That's what he was protecting. Sort of makes that press conference before the Sugar Bowl where he sounded high and mighty seem pretty bad. As far as the punishment. I have no idea what should be done. I just reference that Dez Bryant lost his entire Sr. Season for lying to the NCAA about his weekend with Dieon Sanders.
I opted to wait a while before posting on this very distasteful situation. The press conference reminded me of three people who certainly wished they were somewhere else. Really served no real purpose in my mind. Personally I am very disappointed in Coach Tressel. Jim O'Brien was fired as the basketball coach for a similiar reason. (Withholding information) Our self imposed sanctions, public apology, $250,000 fine, two game suspension, is a slap on the wrist. The confidentiallity angle really difficult to swallow. This news certainly does not help the pending appeal for the players, who received a five game suspension. The NCAA may impose much harsher sanctions against Tressel and the universityl His actions reflect deeply on Ohio State and he will never be reviewed with the same respect and admiration. Really too bad for all concerned.
My sympathy Don, BT, Stu et al. Even my wife, who is not an OSU fan but likes Tressel, exclaimed that she can't believe he would do that. We all have those instances in our lives when we must make a decision to go one way or the other. He opted for the wrong path and it came back to bite him. Too bad for the OSU faithful.
It sucks for certain....and he and the University will take a hit to their reputation under any scenario. At the end of the day, from my perspective there are two plausible conclusions at which one can arrive.....either he exercised poor judgement out of legitimate concern for the players and the confidentiality of the attorney and/or the investigation, or it was an intent to deceive to protect his interests. I know which of those scenarios make the most sense to me, all things considered, but there will be others who see things differently.... In either event, his actions were contrary to NCAA rules and the University has offered up proposed sanctions....we'll see how the NCAA responds. I believe President Gee and AD Smith's strong statement in support of Coach Tressel is justified and I agree wholeheartedly..... To that end, there is no doubt in my mind that if the entirety of the college football world had a fraction of the moral fiber and integrity of Coach Tressel and every school's compliance function operated as proactively, energetically and in collaboration with the NCAA - as opposed to treating them as an enemy combatant - the world would be a much better place......I could be wrong, but I don't think so..... just my opinion. P.S. KP, Bill are you guys suggesting that Pres Machen and others outspoken also wear scarlet colored glasses?
Who might be on a hotter seat than JT? How about Jim Delany who criticized the NCAA while sitting on a very high horse http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/sports/ncaafootball/03auburn.html So covering up and lying more than once is punishable by missing Akron and Toledo? Before the NCAA steps in, the Big Ten is probably going to have to do something. After all, OSU played an entire season with players JT knew were ineligible.
Akron Journal Writer thinks this is not over and is very harsh on Tressel. Tressel I feel for you guys, he's been a great coach on the field for sure. His detractors would point out that he's (his players) have had many problems off the field sort of flying in the face of his supposed discipline/character persona. This is an old article from the NYT. Two Sides of Jim Tressel In the end he'll have to weather this and so will Ohio State and his fans. But I imagine he's doubled his resolve to come back and come back strong.
He really should have to miss meaingful games in conference. I didn't think Bruce Pearl got the proper punishment, but at least he was suspended for SEC games and not games against cream puff competition.
Without any intent whatsoever to irritate any of my many Vol fans, I just can't come close to equating the Pearl matter with Tressel's and just so that I'm very clear, I do believe Tressel made a very poor error in judgement and deserves sanction. That said, the very real distinctions as I see them is that Pearl lied to and misled NCAA investigators to prevent his own wrongdoing from coming to light and becoming public. Tressel didn't report his knowledge of alleged incidents of wrongdoing on the part of others that were already the subject of an investigation by federal authorities....there was never a matter of his wrongdoing, nor was there ever any coverup to prevent them from ever becoming public as they already were in the public/federal domain in a very serious matter and it was simply a matter of time and discretion on the part of federal authorities as to the timing of the official communication with University officials......very real differences in my opinion.
Say what you will about Coach Knight, his personality, handling of players and press but I don't think his integrity to the game and abiding the rules was ever questioned.....here he puts up an outspoken defense of Coach Tressel and I agree with his views....thanks Coach. http://the-ozone.net/football/2011/Tresselaffair/Knight_Tressel.html
T When Tressel certified in Sept. of 2010 that he had informed the school of any known violations was he covering up for the players or himself. He had after all know of the possible violations since April. The fact that the players names came up in the investigation of the tatoo parlor did not mean that it "was simply a matter of time and discretion on the part of federal authorities as to the timing of the official communication with University officials......" If that were the case he was setting up his pres. and AD to the pathetic dog and pony show that they had to go through yesterday. I think it's pretty obvious that he thought that because the players were not involved in any illegal activities that it might go away. If not then he was mortgaging his future for a shot at a NC last season. He did serious damage to his school, his veracity and his integrity. He really has embarassed the conference and its commissioner who went to bat for him to get those players eligible to play in the bowl game. Heads should roll. I suggest that Tressel start by firing Pres. Gee.
:lol: Well played my friend, well played. The certification is troublesome to me as well. However, for him to assume that the issue would not come to light and his players identified is simply impossible for me to believe.....incredible naivete or stupidity. Say what you want about Tressel, he is neither of those....There is no question in my mind that once he became aware of the situation, he knew that NCAA issues were inevitable. The only uncertainty could have been the timing of either the conclusion of the investigation, disclosures or official inquiries as dictated by the authorities as was the case in December..... No doubt he exercised very bad judgement in this situation and did put the University and all associated with it in a bad spot something that from my perspective during his tenure has been the very rare exception......
I mainly feel for you OSU guys, I know you guys want to win but want to win on the up and up. Tressel is a big boy he'll come out on the other end fine, will have to go through both wash and spin cycles though! So I will give you a good thought! 2663 days since you last lost to Michigan!
TOK, agree on all counts......it sucks, we'll take a hit but we'll get through it just fine much to the immense displeasure of all who would like nothing more than to see us go down.....what's the saying, "That which doesn't kill you......" In the meantime, it is basketball tournament time and if I recall correctly -it's been awhile since they left page one - we have a pretty decent basketball team as well......thank God for roundball. 8)