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| Jim Tressel has a lot to hang his head about at Ohio State these days. Tressel will not be on the sidelines for the first two games as the Buckeyes begin their 2011 season. |
But when the 2011 season rolls around the Vest will not be on the sidelines against in-state rivals Akron and Toledo – along with five players.
While the players are at fault for selling merchandise for free tattoos, Tressel's failure to comply with the NCAA cost him $250,000 and the first two games of what looks to be a promising 2011 campaign. In April, he was warned about two players involved in a drug-trafficking scheme through an e-mail, only to brush it off like a one-star recruit.
It isn't that Ohio State will necessarily need the Vest on the sidelines. The practice squad will probably still hang 60 points on the lowly Zips and Rockets, but it's the Vest's principles that are at risk here.
For years, Tressel was regarded as one of the good guys. He did everything by the book. When he beat Miami to win his first national championship in 2002, there was hope that a college football team could win without making an appearance in the local court. Of course, that was with Maurice Clarett – who has now spent more time behind bars than in the classroom.
But you can't fault the Vest for one bad apple emerging after Clarett ended his career in Columbus. Even during the Terrelle Pryor recruiting saga, Tressel did nothing out of the ordinary to steal Pryor from Pennsylvania. He simply told Pryor exactly what he wanted to hear, and that got the prized recruits attention.
When the five players were suspended for the free ink, a small portion of that fell back on the Vest. Most of it dealt with Tressel not being able to control his players 24/7. But when the news broke about Tressel's failure to comply with the NCAA, questions start to arise.
What was he doing that was so important that he couldn't talk to his players? He has the typical professor look, why not do what every college professor would have done and approached the players about the issue? Ohio has a lot of great golf courses in the spring and summer, but he could have at least left the clubs in his office for one day while trying to avoid NCAA sanctions.
The reason the Vest didn't act is fairly simple – he didn't think he would get caught.
Most major powerhouses believe that if you're not cheating, your not trying. And apparently Ohio State is no exception.
With the suspension, a dark cloud has suddenly started to form over the Horseshoe in Columbus. Those sunny skies and days of doing things with class are over. Tressel just better hope the NCAA doesn't find out about any more violations or the Vest may be looking for a new wardrobe.
So far, Tressel has gotten off pretty easy. Two games for lying? $250,000 is a big chunk of change though.
ReplyDeleteJust remember, it wasn't too long ago that Dez Bryant lost an entire year of eligibility for lying. Tressel's infractions were far more severe in my opinion.
The NCAA needs to come down hard on the Vest.
I could not agree more. Tressel makes about $4 million pre year, so really $250,000 isn't that big of a hit.
ReplyDeleteMy gut instinct says that the Vest could have a few more spots on it by the time all is said and done. You don't land major recruits like Pryor, Wells and Ginn by strictly following the rules.