COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Well aware of the legacy he inherits, Jim
Tressel is making the jump from the obscurity of Division I-AA
Youngstown State to the spotlight of Ohio State.
Tressel took over as the Buckeyes' coach Thursday with a
five-year, $4.6 million deal and a mandate to build players'
character, bolster classroom performance -- and, of course, beat
Michigan.
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"Having been born in the state of Ohio and idolizing the likes
of Paul Brown and Woody Hayes ... as I sit here and think about the
fact that I will be following men like that, it's really humbling,
and it's so exciting," Tressel said.
Tressel, who won a record four Division I-AA national
championships in 15 years at Youngstown State, was picked to
succeed John Cooper as coach after a 16-day search.
"Had we not won those four championships, I would not be
here," Tressel said.
Ohio State President William Kirwan said the university wanted a
coach with a good record of graduating players, who reflected the
values of the university and wanted success on the field -- but not
at the expense of academics.
"Excellence is what is expected," said Tressel, an assistant
coach for the Buckeyes before leaving for Youngstown State.
He has never led a Division I-A program.
"I measure the man and not the level," athletics director Andy
Geiger said. "I don't think the game's that much different in
concept."
As Ohio State's 22nd head coach, Tressel inherits a team with a
tough schedule, including games at UCLA, Indiana, Penn State,
Minnesota and Michigan.
The Buckeyes also will be without two of the top four
rushers of last season, four of the top five receivers, plus two of the top three
tacklers and the two leaders in interceptions.
Tressel's Youngstown State teams won national titles in 1991,
1993, 1994 and 1997, and he had 12 winning seasons. He was 135-57-2
with the Penguins.
The Berea, Ohio, native handled quarterbacks and receivers at
Ohio State under Earl Bruce, from 1983-86. He also served as an
assistant coach at Akron, Miami of Ohio and Syracuse.
Cooper was fired after Ohio State lost 24-7 to South Carolina in
the Outback Bowl. But Geiger also cited poor academic performance,
on-the-field taunting and off-the-field run-ins with the law by
Buckeyes players.
Tressel, known for disciplined Youngstown State teams, gave his
new bosses another indication of his attitude toward academics.
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The Tressel File
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Born:Dec. 5, 1952
Hometown: Berea, Ohio
Coaching Experience:
1986-present: Head coach, Youngstown State (135-57-2, .701).
1983-86: Quarterbacks and receivers coach, Ohio State.
1981-82: Quarterbacks and receivers coach, Syracuse.
1979-80: Quarterbacks and receivers coach, Miami (Ohio).
1975-77: Offensive backfield coach, Akron.
Playing Experience:
1968-71: Lettered four years at quarterback at Baldwin-Wallace College, coached by his father, Lee.
Education:
1977: Masters degree, Akron.
1975: Bachelors degree, Baldwin-Wallace.
Family:
Wife, Ellen. Children: sons Zak and Eric, daughters Carlee and Whitney.
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After introducing his mother and other family members, Tressel
noted his son Zak was not present because he had a physics class at
Ohio State. Tressel said he had learned from his late father, Dr.
Lee Tressel, that the only excuse for skipping class was "a death
in the family -- your own family."
The elder Tressel compiled a 155-52-6 record as coach at
Baldwin-Wallace College. Tressel lettered four years as a
quarterback for his father.
Geiger said Tressel would receive a $100,000 signing bonus and
$700,000 salary to start, increasing $100,000 each year.
His Youngstown State contract, which was to run out in June,
gave him a base salary of $88,500 and a $20,000 annual stipend to
also serve as athletics director.
Cooper earned $1.1 million per season. He was 111-43-4, shared
three Big Ten titles and played in bowls in 11 of his 13 seasons.
But he was 3-8 in those bowl games and was just 2-10-1 against
Ohio State's chief rival, Michigan -- a game that Ohio State fans
refer to as "The Game."
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ALSO SEE
Players get the picture early in meeting with Tressel
VIDEO
  Jim Tressel is named Ohio State's new head football coach. RealVideo: 28.8 Jim Tressel speaks to the crowd at the Ohio State-Michigan basketball game. avi: 1357 kRealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1  Jim Tressel looks to uphold the tradition of Ohio State football. wav: 252 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Mel Kiper Jr. was surprised with the selection of Jim Tressel at Ohio State. wav: 468 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 |
