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Tressel apologizes again
Photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel talks with members of the media during an NCAA college football news conference, Tuesday, March 8, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio.
Associated Press
COLUMBUS
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel apologized for letting people down Wednesday, and acknowledged that some may view him as a cheater in the wake of NCAA violations that resulted in a five-game suspension.
“I suppose there could be some that might feel that way and there might be others who might not,” Tressel said. “I don’t have a whole lot of control over that.”
Tressel, dressed in his trademark sweater vest, declined to discuss the investigation into the rules violations during an almost hour-long news conference.
Ohio State has recommended that Tressel be suspended the first five games of this season for failing to report that his players sold memorabilia and received improper benefits.
The NCAA could accept Tressel’s sanctions — which includes a $250,000 fine taken from his estimated $3.5 million annual salary — or levy additional penalties.
Tressel said he believes players will still listen to him when he returns to the sidelines, even though his character has been sullied by what he referred to as “mistakes.”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever talked [to] or guided our kids with the idea that I’ve done everything perfectly,” Tressel said. “I’ve never looked at myself that way. Some of us are parents in here. We talk to our kids about doing the right things. Well, some of us haven’t done everything perfectly, but we still have that responsibility to do that.”
Tressel also introduced linebackers coach Luke Fickell as his replacement for the games he’ll be suspended. The co-defensive coordinator is in his 10th year on the Ohio State staff.
“When you visit, when you’ve been here, when you truly know what the place is about, when you truly know what the foundation is, the small, little storms, you know, won’t take you down,” Fickell said of the trouble surrounding the program.
Tressel is permitted to work with the team all spring, throughout preseason practice and even during the period of his suspension. He is only required to stay away from the Buckeyes on the days of home games against Akron, Toledo, Colorado and Michigan State and the road game at Miami, Fla.
Despite the questions surrounded Tressel and his actions, Fickell said the coaching staff will continue to sell the program’s figurehead.
“Whether I’m in Florida recruiting or Pennsylvania recruiting or Columbus, Ohio, recruiting, the No. 1 thing I sell outside of just The Ohio State University is Coach Tressel,” he said.