OHIO STATE Tressel regrets not preventing Clarett's downfall

The coach wonders if he missed signs that should have raised "red flags."
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Maurice Clarett's suspension left Ohio State coach Jim Tressel wondering if he could have done something to prevent it.
Clarett was suspended for the season Wednesday for violating NCAA rules, tarnishing the Buckeyes' first national title in 34 years and clouding the future of one of the nation's most talented running backs.
"Maybe we should have hoisted some red flags that we didn't," Tressel said Wednesday night.
Tressel said he spent more time with his record-setting tailback than any other player on the team over the past two years, yet was unaware that Clarett had accepted thousands of dollars in improper benefits.
"The question would be, could I have spent more time with him, could I have done a better job in some areas?" Tressel said. "Those are things I think about often ... perhaps I didn't do as well as I could have done."
16 violations
Earlier Wednesday, athletic director Andy Geiger said Clarett was guilty of 14 violations of the ethical-conduct bylaw for lying to investigators and two violations of receiving preferential treatment or benefits because he is an athlete.
"This is a sad day," Geiger said.
Even though the infractions date to 2002, the school is not in jeopardy of being stripped of its national title.
Clarett will remain on scholarship this school year. His attorney, Scott Schiff, wouldn't speculate if Clarett's Ohio State career was over.
"He's considering his options right now," Schiff said.
Clarett had been suspended from the team while the NCAA and Ohio State investigated his finances.
Ohio State has been working for more than two weeks on a response to "several pages" of allegations sent by the NCAA to the university regarding Clarett.
Donation required
Geiger said Clarett would be required to make a donation to a charity of his choice equal to the amount he received in benefits, which Geiger termed as "thousands of dollars," if he wants to be reinstated.
Ohio State can appeal for Clarett's reinstatement after the season-long suspension is complete.
Should Clarett decide to transfer to another Division I-A school, he would have to sit out a year in addition to any suspension or ineligibility handed down by the NCAA. Clarett could play immediately in a smaller division after he is reinstated.
Schiff said he was troubled that under NCAA rules only Ohio State -- and not Clarett -- could appeal NCAA penalties.
"The most important thing I think is that the inherent problem with the NCAA procedures is the lack of due process and the lack of any procedure for the student-athlete himself to appeal the NCAA findings," Schiff said.
NFL challenge
Clarett, a sophomore, could also mount a legal challenge to the rule that requires players to wait three years after high school to enter the NFL draft. The Canadian Football League, which has no such rule, is a more immediate option.
Geiger said Clarett accepted some benefits during his freshman year -- before Ohio State won the national title in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 3. Geiger said the NCAA has determined that Ohio State was not at fault in any of Clarett's violations. He said the bowl victory was not in jeopardy.
"If the university was unaware or uninvolved, then the university is not culpable," Geiger said.
Because the NCAA is not in charge of the bowl system, it does not have the power to strip a school of a national title.
Clarett's final carry for the Buckeyes last season ranks among the most memorable in school history. He scored on a 5-yard run in the second overtime to give Ohio State a 31-24 victory over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Clarett set Ohio State freshman records last season with 1,237 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.
No decision yet
Clarett, his mother and Schiff met with Geiger earlier Wednesday. After the meeting, Michelle Clarett was asked if her son was considering transferring.
"Nothing has been decided if we go, if we stay, if we dance or not," she said.
Clarett was charged Tuesday with misdemeanor falsification for lying about items stolen from a car he was driving. If convicted, Clarett would face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, but probably would get probation.
That charge was only a small part of the season-long suspension. Clarett also is being investigated by an Ohio State panel looking into allegations of academic fraud involving athletes.
Tressel chose to look at Clarett's good side.
"Deep down in Maurice Clarett is a young guy that's got a lot of love there and a lot of potential and a lot of ability and a lot of caring," Tressel said. "That's the thing that I would like to see manifested as we move forward."