Ohio State needs to make an important decision in the near future. What's more important - their integrity and pride of their school or their football record versus Michigan?
That is the decision facing AD Gene Smith as he decides what to do with Jim Tressel. As most of you have undoubtedly heard by now, The Vest is facing so very serious allegations by the NCAA. The NCAA does not take to kindly to being lied to and mislead. Just ask Dez Bryant and Bruce Pearl.
Bryant was suspended for almost his entire senior season and Pearl was suspending for numerous games and eventually fired. Both because they lied to the NCAA about violations.
Tressel lied to the NCAA about major violations.
Ohio State fans will probably want to keep Tressel, the man who has won over 80% of his games at Ohio State and is a sterling 9-1 versus hated rival Michigan. He is one of the best coaches in the game, and before this mess was considered one of the most respected men in all of college sports. He even wrote a book called "The Winner's Manual," which instructed people on how to win at life. Duly noted, Tressel.
Unfortunately for Tressel, Ohio State is more than it's football team. The school has an obligation to itself and its students and alumni to do right by the school.
That means firing Jim Tressel.
Ohio State's athletics reflect on the school as a whole, and the coaches have the obligation to living up to the schools high standards of integrity. Tressel failed dramatically in that category.
Some people might argue that this whole situation is overblown, that it's "just" football. But fans of the sport know how important football is, especially to the schools whom are represented by the team. If Ohio State is willing to let a liar and cheater lead its flagship team, what else are they willing to do to succeed?
All of these doubts can be answered by one simple action - fire The Vest.
Prove to us that your school is about more than winning football games.
Because this situation is about more than beating the Wolverines.
It's about doing what's right.
7 years ago
This whole situation is a GRAY area...lol(ironic). But thats the big debate. In my opinion if there is a GRAY area it needs to be eliminated, im all for second chances but THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY should not be. Keep the clean slate and cut your losses and polish up what is now a SLIGHTLY tarnished reputation!
ReplyDeletePeople make mistakes. Theres no reason why Tressel should not get another chance. Its amazing how people are held to such a higher standard because of their position in the public eye. Tressel has proved himself a great coach and deserves the loyalty of Ohio State. Since when is the "right" thing throwing someone to the wolves when they make a mistake? People make mistakes, no one is perfect. The fact that countless individuals have come to the defense of Tressel's character shows what kind of reputation he has. Yes, its been tarnished, but lets give him the chance to repair it. I hope people have given you more understanding than you are willing to have for Tressel.
ReplyDeleteAs a lifelong OSU fan and current student, I have to say that I'm not hoping for him to get fired but I won't be upset if he is. And you would actually be surprised at the number of students who agree that he needs to be fired.
ReplyDeleteI'm really torn on the situation because on one hand, I'm all about forgiveness and second chances. On the other, he knew about the situation and lied about it for nine months and lied on an official form all after he wrote a book about how to live your life with character and while commenting on the guys' actions saying that he was sure they all had a questionable feeling about what they were doing.
But then again, shouldn't a stellar record (in life, not on the field) account for anything? It's not like he has a history of lying to the NCAA and if we want to get into the rule that was broken, I never liked it in the first place.
So I'm torn. Shrug.
Anonymous #2 - Coaches are held to a higher standard because they are sometimes the face of their university and any mistake they make is major compared to you and I. Every head coach knows that they are held to a higher standard and have accepted that fate - they aren't ignorant to this idea.
ReplyDeleteLook at it this way - if someone you worked with broke some major rules at your work and then lied about it and actively covered it up, don't you think they should get fired? Yea, pretty sure they would and they should.