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Health & Fitness

In Tress We Trust?

We all believed that the man who brought us a National Championship and ruled over Michigan would some day leave as the most loved Buckeye coach since Woody Hayes.

Who thought it would end this way?

We all believed that the man who brought us a National Championship and ruled over Michigan would some day leave as the most loved Buckeye coach since Woody Hayes.

We never thought that what Jim Tressel would have in common with Woody is being fired amid a scandal. Jim Tressel is a good man who told a lie that developed a life of its own, and ultimately did him in.

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There is no excuse for what Jim did, and the inevitable finally happened. The media, your best friend when things are going well become like sharks when they sense a little blood.

I believe Jim truly loves The Ohio State University, and a day will not go by that he will not regret his actions.  Life now goes on for the school, players and coaches. We will not know until at least August what the NCAA is thinking. In August, the NCAA should reveal the findings of their investigation and hand down any penalties they see fit. 

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Taking over the Buckeyes will be Luke Fickell, a four year starter and 1997 graduate of Ohio State. Luke understands what it means to be a Buckeye. He is a guy who has seen some rough years, but also some very good years.

The issue with Luke being the long-term answer is that he is connected with Tressel. What did Fickell know about what was going on as OSU? Was he blind to all the perceived corruption? Did he not hear the rumors?

A lot of questions need answered, and the media has not yet put Fickell through the vetting process.  If he can come out next year, rally the team to a Big Ten title, and beat Michigan, he has a chance to win the job full time. We will deal with potential candidates at a later date. 

What about the players? They need to grow up and be held accountable. A rule is a rule, even if you disagree with it.

There is a lot of competition for these star players and the pay is basically the same at all universities. The pay is free tuition, room and board.

Something has to set one program from another and the boosters play a big role in that. Anyone would be foolish to think that these athletes are not coddled and treated well because of their talents.

There are a lot of people at the schools and in the private sector making a lot of money off these athletes. It is natural for the athlete to try and use their fame to help them through college life. Does anybody remember player #6 driving a Hummer in high school? No easy or answers for this problem.

In the end Jim Tressel was going for that special player in Terrelle Pryor. He was that special recruit to bring The Ohio State University another National Championship. The cost to Tressel was his soul, pride, reputation and ultimately the job he loved so much. 

That’s my opinion, what is yours?  I can be reached on twitter at @BrownsAnswerGuy

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