Why Jim Tressel belongs in Ohio State's Ring of Honor
Jim Tressel belongs in the Ohio State Ring of Honor because his 2002 national championship, rivalry dominance, and lasting impact on players put him beside Woody Hayes and Paul Brown—and because Hayes was honored despite his own scandals, making it hard to keep Tressel out.
Key Takeaways
- Jim Tressel is inducted into Ohio Stadium's Ring of Honor on Sept. 5 before Ohio State vs. Ball State.
- He joins Woody Hayes and Paul Brown as only the third head coach so honored, and the first individual since Troy Smith in 2014.
- Columbus Dispatch columnist Rob Oller argues Hayes' rule-breaking past makes excluding Tressel hypocritical.
- Maurice Clarett will ring the Victory Bell the same day; coach Ryan Day called it "the right thing to do."
- Tressel's path ran from Baldwin Wallace quarterback to Youngstown State titles to Ohio State's 2002 BCS crown.
What is happening with Jim Tressel and the Ring of Honor?
Ohio State is enshrining former head coach Jim Tressel on the Ring of Honor ahead of the Buckeyes' Sept. 5 season opener against Ball State at Ohio Stadium. He becomes just the third head coach in program history to receive the honor, joining Paul Brown and Woody Hayes, and the first person added since his former quarterback Troy Smith in 2014.
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Why do critics say Jim Tressel should not be honored?
Some fans remain angry over the 2010 memorabilia-for-tattoos scandal and Tressel's failure to report information to the NCAA. He resigned under pressure in 2011 after saying he was "sincerely saddened" he let people down. His Columbus record was 106-22 (.828), adjusted to 94-21 after vacated 2010 wins, and he went 9-1 against Michigan while coaching two other national title games besides the 2002 BCS championship.
In a Columbus Dispatch column, Rob Oller notes Woody Hayes also faced probation, sideline rage, and the 1978 Gator Bowl punch that ended his career—yet still sits in the Ring of Honor next to Tressel.
What does Ryan Day say about Tressel and Clarett?
Ohio State coach Ryan Day, who helped decide on the honor, said Tressel's record, rivalry results, and national-championship impact "speak for themselves," but stressed the bigger story is "the impact he made on so many people" and on the state. Day also backed inviting Maurice Clarett—the 2002 title-team freshman who later went to prison, then rebuilt his life on Day's player advisory team—to ring the Victory Bell.
"He's a guy I like to have around the program," Day said, adding it was "the right thing to do" on Tressel's induction day. Oller argues both men, like Woody, are imperfect—and that forgiveness beats lasting bitterness.
How did Jim Tressel's journey lead back to the Horseshoe?
Before Columbus fame, Tressel was Baldwin Wallace's starting quarterback under his father, Hall of Famer Lee Tressel. After assistant stops at Akron, Miami (Ohio), Syracuse, and Ohio State (1983-85), he won four Division I-AA titles at Youngstown State, then coached the Buckeyes from 2001-2010 to six Big Ten championships and the 2002 national title.
He later served as Youngstown State president (2014-23) and remains on BW's Board of Trustees. "Our journey truly began at BW," Tressel said. Former Ohio State stars have also spoken about what his Ring of Honor induction means to them as the sweater-vest era gets its permanent place in the Horseshoe.