Jim Tressel Resigns: It's Not the Right Thing to Do, It's the Only Thing

Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel resigned early on the Memorial Day holiday amidst mounting rumors of NCAA violations, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

The speculation all along was that Tressel would be fired, but he beat the university to the punch.

And rightfully so.

The Dispatch obtained a memo that Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee sent to OSU trustees Monday morning:

"

"I write to let you know that later this morning we will be announcing the resignation of Jim Tressel as head coach of the University's football program. As you all know, I appointed a special committee to analyze and provide advice to me regarding issues attendant to our football program. In consultation with the senior leadership of the University and the senior leadership of the Board, I have been actively reviewing the matter and have accepted Coach Tressel's resignation.

"My public statement will include our common understanding that throughout all we do, we are One University with one set of standards and one overarching mission. The University's enduring public purposes and its tradition of excellence continue to guide our actions."

"

Former Buckeye Ray Small came out last week alleging that he profited from selling his own memorabilia, including Big Ten championship rings, as a student, just like star quarterback Terrelle Pryor and others did, earning them suspensions for the first five games of the 2011 season and swirling a cloud of doubt around Coach Tressel's program, a cloud that stirred speculation that he could be shown the door.

But that proved unnecessary. Tressel would show himself out.

He withheld information from the NCAA and from his own compliance officers. He not only operated dishonestly, he failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance. He set a poor example for his players, to whom he should serve as a mentor and a leader—a father figure.

And the only way to atone for his transgressions is to own them. To not put the university in the position to make the decision. To take it upon himself to do what is not only the right thing, but the only thing to do.

Step away.

Perhaps it will even give him time to relax and read a good book. I recommend The Winners Manual for the Game of Life, by Jim Tressel.

It’s been a hard, fast fall from the top of the college football world for both Tressel and Ohio State, but Ohio State football will be back sooner than later.

To say the same for Tressel is unlikely.