Jim Tressel Scandal: A Look at What's in Store for the Ohio State Buckeyes

Jim Tressel's scandal is the latest major college football story this offseason, and it's one that's continuing to develop as we go forward.

Yahoo! Sports reported last night that Tressel knew about the violations Ohio State reported at the end of the season long before they came to the light of the public. If it's true, the future of the Ohio State program and of Tressel himself may be in doubt.

Inside, we're breaking down what happened from start to finish and talking about what may happen from here on out.

What are your thoughts on this latest scandal?

The Original Scandal

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthe

If you don't remember, toward the end of the season, several Ohio State players got caught selling gear and receiving improper benefits from a local tattoo parlor and its owner.

Originally, Terrelle Pryor denied having gotten his tattoos any other way, but as more information came out, the program owned up to the violations and reported them to the NCAA before things spiraled further out of control.

At least that's how it seemed in the moment.

The Aftermath

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to hand the ball of to Dan Herron #1 against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In the end, the players were suspended for the first five games of the regular season, but the group could still play in the Sugar Bowl.

The Buckeyes went on to win the game against Arkansas, with Terrelle Pryor having a big day and Ohio State saving face for the Big Ten, as the rest of the conference struggled mightily in the rest of its bowl games.

The game was supposed to be the end of the drama as the players prepared to sit out the start of next season.

However, There's More

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Head coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/G

Things had died down for the Buckeyes until yesterday, when Yahoo! Sports broke the story that Jim Tressel knew about the violations long before the program said it did.

That's a big problem, because the NCAA and football fans don't really approve of coaches keeping obvious violations secret and then lying about it when the issues come to light. These are serious allegations lobbed Tressel's way.

If they're true, it could mean a number of things.

Ohio State's Response

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes is seen during the 96th Rose Bowl game against the Oregon Ducks on January 1, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The original Yahoo! report has nothing in terms of a comment from the university, and there has been no response in the hours since.

However, Ohio State has called a press conference for tonight to address this report and the allegations against them. It should be great theater as we're also dealing with the saga that is surrounding the University of Oregon.

You have to love college athletics and how upstanding things are when it comes to the inner-workings of the sport.

What Does This Mean for Ohio State?

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IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes talks with teammates in the huddle during the play against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Ohio State won 20

According to the Yahoo! report, things could get much worse for Ohio State if the NCAA decides to crack down on the Buckeyes.

The program could be cited with playing ineligible athletes, and the entire 2010 season could be vacated, meaning a share of the Big Ten championship could be stricken from the records. Furthermore, Ohio State could be sanctioned further.

It's certainly not looking good if you're a fan of the Buckeyes.

Could Tressel Be Fired?

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Head Coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches his team play the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ohio Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 73-20. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Jim Tressel is one of the most-tenured coaches in all of college football, but this scandal could send him out of Columbus.

There is a clause in his contract that states that if he does not report a violation in a timely manner, the university can fire him with cause. It would certainly be an ugly, ugly end to what has been a wildly successful career with the Buckeyes.

I would be shocked if it got to that point with all that Tressel has done for the program.