College Football: The Only Explanation of Jim Tresselgate That Makes Any Sense

By now everyone knows that Jim Tressel failed to notify the NCAA about the “Tat Five” selling certain memorabilia to a Columbus body art facility.

Yes, we all know that he knew about the infractions for over nine months but still failed, even through a full blown investigation, to report his prior knowledge.

Additionally, we all know that Ohio State University initially imposed a two game suspension on Tressel who, just recently, self extended his suspension to the first five games of 2011.

We’ve all heard his explanation of why he didn’t immediately (or within 270 days) notify university administration and/or compliance officials of the infractions, which was along the lines of “feeling bound by confidentiality due to the tattoo establishment proprietor being involved in a federally run drug-trafficking inquiry.”

But, what we can’t be sure of, and what is the topic of heated debate at NCAA basketball tournament gatherings, margarita parties and office coffee bars is why he really did it.

Indeed, why did Jim Tressel, who seems to be an intelligent fellow and is undoubtedly a scholar of at least football, not reveal his knowledge of the “Tat Five?”

And, let’s remember this is a man who did not just have one opportunity to come clean and blew it; no, this is a guy who has had numerous chances to come clean and fess up.

First, he could have told someone as soon as he received the now infamous e-mail from a Columbus attorney back in April of 2010.  Let’s remember this wasn’t an e-mail that got lost among the mass of communications that surely pass through Tressel’s office on a daily basis, he responded to this one. 

“I’ll get on it ASAP,” was the reply.

Second, Tressel could have come clean before he signed his name (in September of 2010) to a NCAA disclosure stating he was not aware of any violations at Ohio State.  Again, this is a smart guy; he knew what he was doing when he inked his name.

Third, he could have admitted his prior knowledge on December 8, 2010 when the US Attorney’s office notified Ohio State’s athletic department of the discovery of the “Tat Five’s” memorabilia trail at the tattoo parlor and the home of its owner.

Finally, he could have come forward with his information at any point during the investigation at Ohio State that took place starting December 9 and concluded dramatically on December 23 with the announcement, via press conference, of the suspension of the involved five players for the first five games of 2011.

Really you have to wonder what Tressel was thinking (in the catacombs at the back of his mind) when on December 30, he very piously announced that the five suspended players wouldn’t be able to play in the Sugar Bowl unless they each agreed to return to OSU for the 2011 season to serve their five game suspension.

“It wouldn’t be fair to not face the consequences down the road,” are among the statements Tressel made in his first Sugar Bowl press conference.

Yes, Jim Tressel had plenty of opportunities to tell the truth, but, he didn’t.

His explanation of “trying to protect his players” due to a federal investigation seems less than credible, because, who at Ohio State or the NCAA would have tried to interfere with such an investigation? 

Wouldn’t they just have stayed out of it and then readdressed the infractions when the investigation was finished?  Surely Tressel could have confided in someone and then protected himself and his players in the process.

No, the only explanation that really makes any sense is simple; Jim Tressel didn’t think he would get caught.

Tressel received the e-mail in April, considered his options, and, counted on the fact that the well entrenched Buckeye nation would have his back.

Tressel, again an intelligent guy who must have been keenly aware of what was on the line, was supremely confident, over and over again, that no one would tell of his fore knowledge of the infractions.

He was sure the attorney (an OSU alumnus) wouldn’t spill the beans, and, beyond that he must have been absolutely convinced (enough to sit through 270 days of mounting pressure) that if the e-mails were actually leaked (and this was written proof) that somehow, someway, the Buckeye network would quickly plug the hole before anyone was any the wiser.

Ohio State cannot be considered unique in this instance for they certainly are not the only top tier university in the nation with a massive, self erected, concrete wall around its profitable perimeter that protects and conceals what goes on inside.

No way.

The difference with Ohio State is, in Jim Tressel you have a guy that has either presented himself as “holier than thou” or at the very least allowed this “clean cut” and “perfect” image to be successfully marketed to the entire nation.

Mack Brown, Nick Saban, Pete Carroll, Bobby Bowden and Les Miles never tried to look perfect, so, their fall from grace would be (or has been) a lot shorter than “the Vest.”

Jim Tressel is a great college football coach and, despite his recent burning at the stake of public opinion, he is more than likely a really good guy.

Tressel is simply the victim of a failed security system.