Just as I thought things were beginning to quiet down, this new charge is forthcoming. Ohio State has self imposed a 5 scholarship ban over the next three years (2,2 & 1)which probably is not going to cut the mustard. We will appear before the NCAA on December to answer the charges. This charge stems from a northern Ohio boodster who has been recently disassociated from the university as a booster. Funny thing is he has been around for the last 30 years. Cooper allowed him on the sidelines at the games and travelled with the team to away games. Tressel tried to distance himself and the Buckeyes from the team in the early years of his career at Ohio State. Dr Gee is now publicly citing AD Gene Smith for his failure to control the situation. Looks like we may be looking for a new AD as well as a new coach?
I have said all along that failure to monitor was at the heart of the problem. The Compliance Dept. and Athletic Dept. (apparently) reported violations right away as soon as they found out. Tressel did not. However the attitude that "this proves what a great compliance department we have and it all falls on the shoulders of the players and coach Tressel" is BS. The Compliance Director should be gone as well.
Ironic that things would have been worse had Tress not taken the steps he did to keep DiGeronimo away from the kids.......these jock sniffers have no interest in good of the program, they just want to pleasure themselves by sniffing jocks.....very sad
Not good news for you Buckeyes. However inspite of the problems, you guys are doing just fine this year and with young talent things could continue to be good on the field. Getting all these problems identified and solved and then move forward possibly under new leadership. You certainly could finish 9-3, would that put you into the B10 Championship game? If it did you could end up with a BCS bowl. Probably wouldn't have thought that was even possible after the Miami and MSU games. I have a feeling that Fickle will be given the job if he finishes 9-3, how could you not?
If we win out and PSU loses to either Wisky or the Huskers, we're in the championship game against probably either the Huskers of Sparty both of whom we'd love to have another shot at .....we will have our offense back intact after this week when Devier Posey gets to come back....his presence will be massive shot in the arm for the passing game. I think that there would be an awful lot of pressure to keep Fickell if he takes this team to a BCS bowl after such a dismal start.....
Why not lose a couple more....make some Michigan friends of mine happy.....and come on down for some Gator Bowl hospitality along with the Gators. AJ speaks very highly of the Gator Bowl you know. :wink: 8)
Yeah I've tried to stay away from all this because I hated to see it for the Buckeye fans here.. still, this is pretty much where I figured it was headed. I agree with what you guys said.. clean house.