Rest The Vest - Brian

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.