Here’s hoping you had a great Memorial Day. Let’s get to it. From the “7-Up Stinks Studios” here we go.
Jim Tressel, right, watches Wednesday, May 25, 2005 as Anthony Schlegel, John Conroy and Robbie Smith talk to the members of the media about recent legal and disciplinary problems involving other members of the team, during a discussion in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)What’s next in Columbus
THE Ohio State will have an interim football coach this fall after Jim Tressel resigned amid controversy. Tressel was sacked for violating the NCAA’s Golden Rule. In the rulebook it is NCAA rule 10.2.1 and called “the unethical conduct” rule; in real life it’s called “Don’t lie to the NCAA and expect to keep your coaching job, you moron” rule.
The scandal of OSU players selling for cash and trading for tattoos Buckeyes gear appears to be getting worse – there are reports that it started as far back as 2002 during Tressel’s second season with Ohio State. Plus, the NCAA and the school have launched investigations into the actions of quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who has been suspended for the first five games of this season and has reportedly gotten some “wink, wink,” pretty good deals “smile, smile, nod, nod,” at some Columbus-area car dealerships.
In short, the future is uncertain at best for THE Ohio State University. This will leave a lasting mark on THE program that take years from which to recover. The penalties will be at least at the USC level, which lost 30 scholarships over a three-period, had two years of bowl bans and was hampered by the NCAA allowing upperclassmen to transfer without sitting out.