BIG Trouble In Buckeye Land...

[Blue Blooded-05]

Rumor mill is off the charts with our friends two hours to the north...

According to the latest reports, a press conference has been scheduled for 7PM this evening to make a "major announcement" amidst allegations head football coach Jim Tressel knew of the "Tat-5" in April 2010 and lied to NCAA investigators.

The following has occurred this afternoon in preparation of the press conference:
- OSU AD Gene Smith, who is currently working on the NCAA Selection Committee, is vacating his duties with the committee and flying into Columbus to attend the press conference.
- OSU President Gordon Gee is flying into Columbus to attend the press conference.
- A police escort has been ordered for Tressel immediately following the press conference
- The Official OSU Athletics website has changed the football's "Coaching Staff" to "2010 Coaching Staff."
- All 2010 stats have been removed from the official website

Obviously, many are predicting Tressel will resign at the presser. I'm guessing they'll just vacate the entire 2010 season.

Nonetheless, if Tressel steps down, he only becomes the latest Buckeye head coach to step down as a result of some kind of scandal over the past 20 years...

- John Cooper - Fired after 2 poor seasons, a slew of negative press in response to legal trouble with players and academic scandals.
- Jim O'Brian - Fired after multiple recruiting scandans involving improper benefits given Serbian born student athletes. Vacated 1999 Final 4.
- Randy Ayers - Fired after going 44-85 over his final 5 seasons. Incurred a major recruiting violation involving Damon Flint and years of legal trouble involving players including charges of domestic abuse, armed robbery, drug trafficing and posession of weapons.

Stay Classy Columbus

[blobfan]

Am I the only one that feels bad for them? It's such a small, stupid thing. It's not as if they sold the loot for more than it's free market value. The tattoo thing should be player suspensions only but taking down a coach? Do we think Tressel tried to hide it or was just trying to figure out the right thing to do, perhaps coach his players to turn themselves in as a character building exercise?

I don't know. It's not as though the ass't coaches were taking classes for players or boosters were taking them to coke and hooker parties.

[picknroll]

Can you say...URBAN MEYER

[STL_XUfan]

Apparently OSU's private jet stopped at Lunkin, you all know what this means....Chris Mack to be the new head coach at OSU. No announcement if he will finish out the season yet.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Am I the only one that feels bad for them? It's such a small, stupid thing. It's not as if they sold the loot for more than it's free market value. The tattoo thing should be player suspensions only but taking down a coach? Do we think Tressel tried to hide it or was just trying to figure out the right thing to do, perhaps coach his players to turn themselves in as a character building exercise?

I don't know. It's not as though the ass't coaches were taking classes for players or boosters were taking them to coke and hooker parties.

Cmon blob I know you can't believe Tressel lied to the NCAA in order to build the character of his players. That gets funnier everytime I read it.

If Tressel lied or covered it up I don't feel sorry for him at all.

[TPH2011]

ESPN -"In May of 2009, The Columbus Dispatch reported that since 2000, Ohio State had reported to the NCAA more than 375 violations -- the most of any of the 69 Football Bowl Subdivision. Most of the infractions were minor and resulted in little or no punishment."

I'm sure Tressell just forgot to report the big infractions like those involving Maurice Clarrett and Troy Smith

[D-West & PO-Z]

Not to mention blob the players never even turned themselves in. When the school found out months later it was from the local U.S. attorneys office.

[Ledgewood]

this is fun

[BBC 08]

this is fun

Yes. Yes it is.

[KingCole]

I'm going to quote my dad on this one, "Ohio St. wouldn't fire Jim Tressel if he was caught banging Gordon Gee's wife on the steps of the administration building." I don't think he'll be fired or resign but punishment should be in order for OSU's football program.

[bobbiemcgee]

tat-gate? I love it.

[XU 87]

Several outlets are reporting he won't be fired but will receive some punishment.

[bobbiemcgee]

They're making him get a "tramp stamp" that sez " I love Michigan" It will be done in maize and blue, of course.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

I heard Tressel will blame it on his dad and claim he didn't know

[bobbiemcgee]

I heard Tressel will blame it on his dad and claim he didn't know

He sez he will deal with it by getting a couple of porn stars and heading to the Bahamas.

[ReturnOfTheMack]

Apparently OSU's private jet stopped at Lunkin, you all know what this means....Chris Mack to be the new head coach at OSU. No announcement if he will finish out the season yet.

shit not again!!!

[whitesox]

Am I the only one that feels bad for them? It's such a small, stupid thing. It's not as if they sold the loot for more than it's free market value. The tattoo thing should be player suspensions only but taking down a coach? Do we think Tressel tried to hide it or was just trying to figure out the right thing to do, perhaps coach his players to turn themselves in as a character building exercise?

I don't know. It's not as though the ass't coaches were taking classes for players or boosters were taking them to coke and hooker parties.

I mostly agree.... but not if Tressel tried to cover it up. I don't think we know right now that he did, but if that's the case I can't feel bad for him.

The whole situation really isn't that bad, but trying to cover it up is always bad.

[Blue Blooded-05]

I heard Tressel will blame it on his dad and claim he didn't know

LMAO... Good one 37

In fairness to OSU, this isn't even close to the whole Cam Newton situation.

[golfitup]

Ohio State NEVER disappoints.

[BlueX]

Loved how he said he couldn't report it due to confidentiality, then nodded his head yes when asked if he forwarded the emails before Gene Smith could jump in.

[ATL Muskie]

That press conference put me to sleep. Man, Tressel is boring.

And a douche.

[X-band '01]

He should have been forced to sit 5 games along with the other Buckeyes. "Now promise me, Terrell, you'll come back next year. Pinky-swear now!"

I'm sure Tressel will be appealing to a higher court better known as the BCS Bowl Committees. Apparently they have power that the NCAA doesn't have.

[X-band '01]

Another reason that it was 2 games:

Akron and Toledo are the first 2 opponents of the season. The 3rd game is at Miami of Florida. Now why would they want the King of Sweater Vests back for that game?

[whiteyxu]

I hate THE ohio st as much as the next guy, but this thing has really gotten blown out of proportion. I don't remember all the details from a few months ago, but if I remember correctly, the players got a discount on tattoos or something and Pryor sold his sportsmanship award to a booster (please somebody correct me if I remembered that wrong). I'm sure it's against the rules and all, but the situations with Cam Newton and Reggie Bush, and similarly Marcus Camby and Derrick Rose in basketball seem to be worse to me than some players trying to get a good deal for services or goods. I know those other programs got in trouble (except for Auburn, so far) but it just seems different to me for some reason.

At least Tressel stepped up and admitted that he made a mistake today. Pete Carroll and John Calipari would have just bolted to another team and left the program in shambles.

I absolutely loathe OSU, and I will enjoy them having to take the punishment. But from an objective standpoint it seems to me that this isn't as big a deal as it's been made to be.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

There are more sanctions on its way for OSU from the NCAA. The 2 games are just self imposed.

No way the NCAA only lets him sit against Toledo and Akron - a combined under .500 record from last year

[danaandvictory]

I suppose this is proof positive that it's not the crime, it's the coverup.

[xeus]

At least Tressel stepped up and admitted that he made a mistake today.



He didn't "step up" - he got caught.

[vee4xu]

I'm going to quote my dad on this one, "Ohio St. wouldn't fire Jim Tressel if he was caught banging Gordon Gee's wife on the steps of the administration building." I don't think he'll be fired or resign but punishment should be in order for OSU's football program.

Gordon Gee's first wife died and he divorced his second wife in 2007.

[DC Muskie]

Gordon Gee's wife died several years ago.

Gee's has been married twice. After his first wife died of cancer, he divorced his second a few years ago.

Still technically, E doesn't have a wife currently.

[Jesuit4Life]

Gordon Gee's wife died several years ago.

How does that have any affect on whether Tressel would be fired for banging Gee's wife on the steps of the administration building?

Edit: Well, thanks guys for ruining a perfectly good necrophiliac joke.

[whiteyxu]

He didn't "step up" - he got caught.

Well, yeah, he got caught before he took the blame for it. It generally works that way. If he'd have come forward and admitted he knew about it when the story first broke that would have been almost unheard of.

[vee4xu]

You guys responded about Gee before I could change my post and I changed it pretty quickly.

I am on record as being both a huge Jim Tressel fan and an OSU football fan. As I have said in the past, he has a 25 year track record of doing the right thing. He did not do the right thing here, but to hear him speak he was asked by an attorney to keep the information quiet because if not, it could hamper a federal drug investigation. Tressel said he did what the attorney asked him to do because he didn't want to foul the investigation, or put the players at risk. If he could do it over, he said he would consult an attorney on staff at OSU.

I surely am not going to apologize for the guy. On the other hand, I am not going to crucify a guy who has an impeccable record for 25 years for one lapse in judgment. For those who dislike Tress and OSU football this event is just what everyone has been waiting for. A chink in the armor of a winner.

[D-West & PO-Z]

You guys responded about Gee before I could change my post and I changed it pretty quickly.

I am on record as being both a huge Jim Tressel fan and an OSU football fan. As I have said in the past, he has a 25 year track record of doing the right thing. He did not do the right thing here, but to hear him speak he was asked by an attorney to keep the information quiet because if not, it could hamper a federal drug investigation. Tressel said he did what the attorney asked him to do because he didn't want to foul the investigation, or put the players at risk. If he could do it over, he said he would consult an attorney on staff at OSU.

I surely am not going to apologize for the guy. On the other hand, I am not going to crucify a guy who has an impeccable record for 25 years for one lapse in judgment. For those who dislike Tress and OSU football this event is just what everyone has been waiting for. A chink in the armor of a winner.

Jim Tressel must be the most clueless guy in college football then. He has had a lot of players of his
dating back to Youngstown State in trouble for many different things. If he really doesn't know about these things going on he needs to be more observant and more in control of his program. To say he has had an impeccable record until this incident is kind of comical.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

This really isn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things in my opinion...

I understand the need for sanctions, but its not like he got caught paying players to come to Columbus

Not everyone is the most perfect person in the world. I mean everyone does, everyone does... kills people, murders people, steals from you, steals from me.

[XULucho27]

I understand the need for sanctions, but its not like he got caught paying players to come to Columbus


Not yet... Not yet.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Not yet... Not yet.

Ha beat me.

[D-West & PO-Z]

For those who dislike Tress and OSU football this event is just what everyone has been waiting for. A chink in the armor of a winner.

No, that would have come years ago in the form of the SEC.

[Fred Garvin 2.0]

Jim Tressel must be the most clueless guy in college football then. He has had a lot of players of his
dating back to Youngstown State in trouble for many different things. If he really doesn't know about these things going on he needs to be more observant and more in control of his program. To say he has had an impeccable record until this incident is kind of comical.

John Wooden did the same thing and is known as a saint.

[D-West & PO-Z]

John Wooden did the same thing and is known as a saint.

The point being?

[vee4xu]

Jim Tressel must be the most clueless guy in college football then. He has had a lot of players of his
dating back to Youngstown State in trouble for many different things. If he really doesn't know about these things going on he needs to be more observant and more in control of his program. To say he has had an impeccable record until this incident is kind of comical.

Namely who? I will give you Maurice Clarett and he didn't get in trouble until he left OSU. So Poz, who do you have in mind with that blanket statement? Also, he was the AD at YSU for many years and no program had an issue during his tenure. To suggest he doesn't have an impeccable record and making blanket statements with not supporting facts is what is really comical, don't you think?

[Juice]

Here are the emails: http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/documents-read-the-actual-jim-tressel-emails-29547

[D-West & PO-Z]

Namely who? I will give you Maurice Clarett and he didn't get in trouble until he left OSU. So Poz, who do you have in mind with that blanket statement? Also, he was the AD at YSU for many years and no program had an issue during his tenure. To suggest he doesn't have an impeccable record and making blanket statements with not supporting facts is what is really comical, don't you think?

Ray Isaac at youngstown, Clarett did get in trouble at OSU for receiving improper benefits, Troy Smith. All got into trouble under Tressel's watch.

Not to mention this little nugget someone else posted:

"In May of 2009, The Columbus Dispatch reported that since 2000, Ohio State had reported to the NCAA more than 375 violations -- the most of any of the 69 Football Bowl Subdivision schools that provided documents to the newspaper through public-records requests."

Ya spotless. :rolleyes:

[vee4xu]

Whatever. Tressel has had thousands of players go through his programs over 25 years. You come up with three lame examples and quote someone else to make your point.

[XULucho27]

Ray Isaac at youngstown, Clarett did get in trouble at OSU for receiving improper benefits, Troy Smith. All got into trouble under Tressel's watch.

Not to mention this little nugget someone else posted:

"In May of 2009, The Columbus Dispatch reported that since 2000, Ohio State had reported to the NCAA more than 375 violations -- the most of any of the 69 Football Bowl Subdivision schools that provided documents to the newspaper through public-records requests."

Ya spotless. :rolleyes:


Whatever.

Touché.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Whatever. Tressel has had thousands of players go through his programs over 25 years. You come up with three lame examples and quote someone else to make your point.

Ha, because it was someone elses quote it does count. Poor sport vee, poor sport.

[vee4xu]

Your the expert on everything Poz. So if you say I am a poor sport, then so be it.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I didn't claim to be an expert on anything vee. You said he had an impeccable record. I thought that was funny considering under Tressell at OSU they have had over 375 self reported NCAA violations. I guess we'll agree to disagree on the definition of impeccable.

[blobfan]

Cmon blob I know you can't believe Tressel lied to the NCAA in order to build the character of his players. That gets funnier everytime I read it.

If Tressel lied or covered it up I don't feel sorry for him at all.

Tressel is a grown man and can take his medicine. My comment about his motivation is pure speculation on my part. I can think of many legitimate reasons he might hold back the info. It's the players, in particular Pryor that I feel bad for. From what I've heard he's a good kid that made a stupid decision he already regrets, and now his coach is in trouble too. I'm sure he feels culpable.

[waggy]

Jesus would have trouble running a clean program at OSU.

[danaandvictory]

I didn't claim to be an expert on anything vee. You said he had an impeccable record. I thought that was funny considering under Tressell at OSU they have had over 375 self reported NCAA violations. I guess we'll agree to disagree on the definition of impeccable.

I've read that Ohio State's institutional policy is to report any violation, no matter how minor. Add to that the fact that they have the largest athletic department in the country and it shouldn't surprise anyone that they report more violations -- many of which are probably laughably minor -- than other programs.

Tressel is by no means a saint -- there were big-time issues at YSU during his tenure -- but this particular incident seems like a well-intentioned, if stupid, error of judgment on his part. I'm not big on crushing people for well-intentioned mistakes.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I've read that Ohio State's institutional policy is to report any violation, no matter how minor. Add to that the fact that they have the largest athletic department in the country and it shouldn't surprise anyone that they report more violations -- many of which are probably laughably minor -- than other programs.

Tressel is by no means a saint -- there were big-time issues at YSU during his tenure -- but this particular incident seems like a well-intentioned, if stupid, error of judgment on his part. I'm not big on crushing people for well-intentioned mistakes.

I took those reported violations to mean only the football program. I think thats what they meant. So the size of the athletic program doesnt really come into play.

I dont think Tressel is a bad guy, but I certainly dont think he has an impeccable record of running clean programs, few coaches do. I also dont completely buy this incident as a well intentioned mistake. I think he knew he should have brought this to the attention on someone in the university. I fully expect the NCAA will increase the punishment as well. No way they are letting him off the hook with only a two game suspension, coming back just in time for that Miami game.

[danaandvictory]

I think he knew he should have brought this to the attention on someone in the university.

Yes. But his emails indicate he was afraid that by doing so it could be considered interfering with a federal investigation.

The guy who is truly screwed here is the lawyer that dropped the dime to Tressel in the first place. That guy was sharing information about a pending criminal investigation, including evidence recovered from the tattoo parlor and other details that shouldn't have been public, with a third party. If his name comes out (and it should) he's in jeopardy of being disbarred. What a stupid thing to do.

[Ledgewood]

I hate Ohio State so much that I hope they get in trouble for more stuff they didnt do.

But seriously. I hope they can't go to a bowl game for 3 years.

[ConfusedBulldog]

I fully expect the NCAA will increase the punishment as well. No way they are letting him off the hook with only a two game suspension, coming back just in time for that Miami game.

Whoa now, those first two games are against mighty Ohio powerhouses Akron and Toledo. Tressel missing those two games might be a crushing blow to OSU's chances of a good season. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

[muskiefan82]

Bruce Pearl and Jim Tressel will be forming their own Division IV semi-pro university this spring.

[ATL Muskie]

There is also the issue of how he handled the players' suspensions and essentially forced them to come back and take their medicine instead of entering the NFL draft. And then he gets two games. That's pretty slimy.

[xavierj]

does anyone think it's a little alarming that there is also a federal drug investigation surrounding this as well? This could be bigger than people are making it out to be. I don't think it was a coincidence they were selling memorabilla to a guy being investigated by the feds for selling drugs.

[blobfan]

does anyone think it's a little alarming that there is also a federal drug investigation surrounding this as well? This could be bigger than people are making it out to be. I don't think it was a coincidence they were selling memorabilla to a guy being investigated by the feds for selling drugs.

I believe they were investigating the tattoo parlor owner for drugs and stumbled across the swag sales. I haven't heard anything to suggest that the players were involved in drugs.

[xavierj]

I believe they were investigating the tattoo parlor owner for drugs and stumbled across the swag sales. I haven't heard anything to suggest that the players were involved in drugs.

I understand but me not being ignorant and knowing college kids like to experiment and that they can be hard up for money that there may be more to this.

[blobfan]

I understand but me not being ignorant and knowing college kids like to experiment and that they can be hard up for money that there may be more to this.

I think these kids have enough going against them right now. Personally I prefer to stay away from baseless speculation jsut to make them look bad. Everything I read clearly states that the drug investigation was focused on the tattoo parlor owner. Don't you think if there was proof the kids were involved in drugs tOSU and Tressel would have been more aggressive?

[danaandvictory]

I think these kids have enough going against them right now. Personally I prefer to stay away from baseless speculation jsut to make them look bad. Everything I read clearly states that the drug investigation was focused on the tattoo parlor owner. Don't you think if there was proof the kids were involved in drugs tOSU and Tressel would have been more aggressive?

It's also theoretically possible that the players were participating in the investigation, I suppose.

[Ledgewood]

I hope the whole school gets banned from playing any sport or game or anything for infinity years.

[Ledgewood]

http://thebiglead.fantasysportsven.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/110309.03.jpeg

[LutherRackleyRulez]

Per the tOSU's The Lantern....


Give Tressel the boot

The NCAA shouldn't suspend Jim Tressel for more than two games. It shouldn't fine him more than $250,000 dollars. It shouldn't bar him from spring practice and summer workouts.

After it finishes its investigation, the NCAA should recommend Jim Tressel's termination as head football coach at The Ohio State University.

This incident is further proof that college athletics is spinning out of control, and a message needs to be sent to university presidents and athletic directors who let rule-breaking coaches keep their jobs because they win games and sell tickets.

And that's exactly why Tressel, who said he never considered resigning, didn't tell the athletic department that he had received an e-mail from an attorney indicating OSU football players were selling memorabilia to Edward Rife. Rife, the owner of Fine Line Ink tattoo parlor, is one of the focal points of a federal drug investigation.

Tressel's contract states that he is bound to report any possible violation immediately.

He didn't.

When Regular Joe with a normal job breaches his contract, he gets the boot.

So should The Vest.

"I am sorry and disappointed this happened," Tressel said. "At the time the situation occurred, I thought I was doing the right thing."

Doing the right thing? Surely a deeply religious man with a newly released book titled "Life Promises for Success: Promises from God on Achieving Your Best" knows the difference between right and wrong.

Or does he?

Maurice Clarett and Troy Smith, the highest-profile players of the Tressel era other than current Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor, were both suspended for accepting improper benefits. Tressel also had a player do the same thing at Youngstown State.

It's clear that Tressel, also author of "The Winner's Manual," wants to win at all cost. The mantra is shared by athletic director Gene Smith and university President E. Gordon Gee, who make up the university's "Big Three."

When asked whether he considered firing Tressel, Gee gave a clear indication of who actually runs the university.

"No, are you kidding?" Gee said with a laugh. "Let me be very clear: I'm just hoping the coach doesn't dismiss me."

I rest my case.

At this point OSU has given Tressel a slap on the wrist. The NCAA should break his arm.




http://www.thelantern.com/sports/give-tressel-the-boot-1.2083500

[D-West & PO-Z]

Good article. The only people who believe Tressels sob story about how he thought he was doing the right thing are OSU fans. I havent read an opinion in the media where someone doesnt think this OSU punishment on Tressel is a joke. I'm not saying he should be fired, although according to his contract it is a fireable offense, but the punishment should be much more.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Ha, I just heard Wilbon quote a line from Tressel's book. "It takes less time to do the the right thing than to explain why you did it wrong."

[Xavgrad08]

Something about Jim Tressels story does not make sense. The first email does not mention anything about confidentiality, which is mentioned in the second email. There is a two week gap between the first and second email. Why didn't Jim bring this to someone's attention after the first email?

I don't believe his confidentiality line because, Tressel talked with his players about the emails he'd received but not his superiors. If Jim was concerned about confidentiality, I wouldn't think he would bring it up to the players.

I would highly recommend for people to actually read the emails, because they are quite interesting. Also, couldn't the Lawyer possibly be disbarred or face criminal charges for impeding investigation? Lots of interesting things going on in this situation.

The funniest part of the emails is, Tressel asking if he needed to hold his players 2009 Big Ten title rings as "collateral" so they didn't sell them. lol

[LutherRackleyRulez]

Per Akron Beacon Journal....



Jason Lloyd:
OSU's Tressel piles lies on top of lies

COLUMBUS: He can't stop lying.

Even when he was trying to explain Tuesday why he lied in the first place, Jim Tressel was still lying.

He lied and deceived his bosses — all of them — for months. Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith, university President E. Gordon Gee and NCAA investigators who came to town in December looking for the answers he refused to supply.

Typically, lying to all of those people is a fireable offense — it's even written into his contract as such. But Tressel is returning to work today as the football coach at Ohio State University because of six consecutive Big Ten championships, a 9-1 record against Michigan and a national championship soiled in the same stains that cloak the program again today.

Tressel should have been fired for lying to his bosses. Not Tuesday, when OSU officials finally came clean because of a Yahoo Sports report that forced their hand, but back in January when they first discovered Tressel's lies and cover-up.

Tressel learned last April, through an e-mail from a local attorney giving him a heads-up, that the federal government raided a local house and at least two current players were involved in a memorabilia scam with a convicted felon (Eddie Rife) and receiving free tattoos from him.

He lied to everyone about it and pleaded ignorance — the same ignorant excuse he used in 2002 when Maurice Clarett was driving around town in free cars, in 2004 when Troy Smith was taking money from a booster and previously in the late '80s and early '90s when Ray Isaac's pockets were stuffed at Youngstown State under his watch.

For Smith and Gee to suspend Tressel for two games (against Akron and Toledo) and fine him $250,000 (14 percent of his salary for next season) is a snub of arrogance at the rest of college sports.

When Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl lied to NCAA investigators, he was suspended half of the conference season by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. When Washington football coach Rick Neuheisel lied to NCAA investigators, he was fired by the university.

Pearl lied about hosting potential recruits at his house and Neuheisel lied about a March Madness office pool — hardly the same as lying about playing ineligible athletes.

And let's be clear: Jim Tressel knowingly played six ineligible athletes all of last season.

According to the self-report the university filed with the NCAA on Tuesday, Tressel lied to Ohio State at least three times about his knowledge of the case — twice when pressed about it by school officials in December and prior to that on Sept. 13, when he signed an NCAA Certificate of Compliance indicating he had reported any knowledge of possible violations to the institution.

Tressel did reveal, according to the report, that he had received a ''tip,'' but couldn't recall from whom. He claimed he did not know that any items had been seized.

The whole time he was telling those lies, he had multiple e-mails in his university account from that Columbus attorney with intricate details of the entire case.

School officials didn't discover the e-mails until stumbling upon them while investigating a separate matter. Otherwise, it's fair to assume Tressel never was going to come forward with his knowledge or the e-mails.

He would've simply strolled through life and pleaded ignorance, just as he did when Clarett was cashing in with cars and Isaac and Troy Smith were taking cash payments from boosters.

Tressel received the first e-mail on April 2 and replied to it four hours later. He could've forwarded it onto the compliance office or, at the very least, mentioned it to his boss, Gene Smith.

Instead, he tried Tuesday to hide behind a bogus request for confidentiality that didn't exist.

In the initial e-mail Tressel received, which the university released copies of Tuesday night, there is no mention of keeping the e-mails confidential. That request for confidentiality didn't come until April 16 — exactly two weeks after Tressel received the first e-mail.

Lies. All lies.

He could've suspended the two players he knew were involved, but chose to continue to play them.

''The focus of mine was to not interfere with a federal investigation,'' Tressel said. ''If you all of a sudden sit down some players that have earned the opportunity to play, it's a whole new set of questions that arise.''

Only one problem — they hadn't earned the opportunity to play. They had violated NCAA rules and he knew it. Beyond that, college athletes are suspended every season for a broad ''violation of team rules'' infraction and no further explanation is ever offered. Tressel could've sat the two players he knew were involved for a nonconference game early in the season, but his arrogance and ability to slide out of so many previous scandals infused in him a sense of entitlement to do it again.

This time, he finally got caught.

This isn't over.

Just because Ohio State thinks a pathetic two-game suspension and hefty fine suffices, the NCAA doesn't have to agree. It can assess more sanctions, such as a longer suspension and in more meaningful games.

Pearl didn't play any ineligible players. Tressel did.

And for once, he can't plead ignorance about it.

''The integrity of this program,'' Gee said, ''and the integrity of this coach is absolutely superb.''

Lies. All lies.



http://www.ohio.com/sports/117626723.html

[whiteyxu]

"It takes less time to do the the right thing than to explain why you did it wrong."

Zing! That's great.

I think I changed my mind on this whole thing. The more people talk about it the more I remember how much I hate that disgusting program. Tressell looks worse and worse every day, and I'm starting to really enjoy it

[D-West & PO-Z]

Per Akron Beacon Journal....



Jason Lloyd:
OSU's Tressel piles lies on top of lies

COLUMBUS: He can't stop lying.

Even when he was trying to explain Tuesday why he lied in the first place, Jim Tressel was still lying.

He lied and deceived his bosses — all of them — for months. Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith, university President E. Gordon Gee and NCAA investigators who came to town in December looking for the answers he refused to supply.

Typically, lying to all of those people is a fireable offense — it's even written into his contract as such. But Tressel is returning to work today as the football coach at Ohio State University because of six consecutive Big Ten championships, a 9-1 record against Michigan and a national championship soiled in the same stains that cloak the program again today.

Tressel should have been fired for lying to his bosses. Not Tuesday, when OSU officials finally came clean because of a Yahoo Sports report that forced their hand, but back in January when they first discovered Tressel's lies and cover-up.

Tressel learned last April, through an e-mail from a local attorney giving him a heads-up, that the federal government raided a local house and at least two current players were involved in a memorabilia scam with a convicted felon (Eddie Rife) and receiving free tattoos from him.

He lied to everyone about it and pleaded ignorance — the same ignorant excuse he used in 2002 when Maurice Clarett was driving around town in free cars, in 2004 when Troy Smith was taking money from a booster and previously in the late '80s and early '90s when Ray Isaac's pockets were stuffed at Youngstown State under his watch.

For Smith and Gee to suspend Tressel for two games (against Akron and Toledo) and fine him $250,000 (14 percent of his salary for next season) is a snub of arrogance at the rest of college sports.

When Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl lied to NCAA investigators, he was suspended half of the conference season by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. When Washington football coach Rick Neuheisel lied to NCAA investigators, he was fired by the university.

Pearl lied about hosting potential recruits at his house and Neuheisel lied about a March Madness office pool — hardly the same as lying about playing ineligible athletes.

And let's be clear: Jim Tressel knowingly played six ineligible athletes all of last season.

According to the self-report the university filed with the NCAA on Tuesday, Tressel lied to Ohio State at least three times about his knowledge of the case — twice when pressed about it by school officials in December and prior to that on Sept. 13, when he signed an NCAA Certificate of Compliance indicating he had reported any knowledge of possible violations to the institution.

Tressel did reveal, according to the report, that he had received a ''tip,'' but couldn't recall from whom. He claimed he did not know that any items had been seized.

The whole time he was telling those lies, he had multiple e-mails in his university account from that Columbus attorney with intricate details of the entire case.

School officials didn't discover the e-mails until stumbling upon them while investigating a separate matter. Otherwise, it's fair to assume Tressel never was going to come forward with his knowledge or the e-mails.

He would've simply strolled through life and pleaded ignorance, just as he did when Clarett was cashing in with cars and Isaac and Troy Smith were taking cash payments from boosters.

Tressel received the first e-mail on April 2 and replied to it four hours later. He could've forwarded it onto the compliance office or, at the very least, mentioned it to his boss, Gene Smith.

Instead, he tried Tuesday to hide behind a bogus request for confidentiality that didn't exist.

In the initial e-mail Tressel received, which the university released copies of Tuesday night, there is no mention of keeping the e-mails confidential. That request for confidentiality didn't come until April 16 — exactly two weeks after Tressel received the first e-mail.

Lies. All lies.

He could've suspended the two players he knew were involved, but chose to continue to play them.

''The focus of mine was to not interfere with a federal investigation,'' Tressel said. ''If you all of a sudden sit down some players that have earned the opportunity to play, it's a whole new set of questions that arise.''

Only one problem — they hadn't earned the opportunity to play. They had violated NCAA rules and he knew it. Beyond that, college athletes are suspended every season for a broad ''violation of team rules'' infraction and no further explanation is ever offered. Tressel could've sat the two players he knew were involved for a nonconference game early in the season, but his arrogance and ability to slide out of so many previous scandals infused in him a sense of entitlement to do it again.

This time, he finally got caught.

This isn't over.

Just because Ohio State thinks a pathetic two-game suspension and hefty fine suffices, the NCAA doesn't have to agree. It can assess more sanctions, such as a longer suspension and in more meaningful games.

Pearl didn't play any ineligible players. Tressel did.

And for once, he can't plead ignorance about it.

''The integrity of this program,'' Gee said, ''and the integrity of this coach is absolutely superb.''

Lies. All lies.



http://www.ohio.com/sports/117626723.html





"It takes less time to do the the right thing than to explain why you did it wrong."

Zing! That's great.

I think I changed my mind on this whole thing. The more people talk about it the more I remember how much I hate that disgusting program. Tressell looks worse and worse every day, and I'm starting to really enjoy it

Impeccable.

[Xavgrad08]

Looks like the lawyer is a former OSU football Player. He also has a pretty checkered past per the article below. http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2011/03/09/tressel-attorney-ncaa-violations.html

[Fred Garvin 2.0]

does anyone think it's a little alarming that there is also a federal drug investigation surrounding this as well? This could be bigger than people are making it out to be. I don't think it was a coincidence they were selling memorabilla to a guy being investigated by the feds for selling drugs.

So you are saying they were bartering for drugs?

[Fred Garvin 2.0]

Ha, I just heard Wilbon quote a line from Tressel's book. "It takes less time to do the the right thing than to explain why you did it wrong."

Ha, that's so gay coming from Northwestern/Chicago guy Wilbon. You think Wilbon is ethically consistent. Funny how he and Kornheiser never mention their buddy Charles Barkley throwing a guy threw a plate window. Wilbon? Are you kidding me?

When it comes to sanctimony Wilbon is Mariotti Jr.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Ha, that's so gay coming from Northwestern/Chicago guy Wilbon. You think Wilbon is ethically consistent. Funny how he and Kornheiser never mention their buddy Charles Barkley throwing a guy threw a plate window. Wilbon? Are you kidding me?

When it comes to sanctimony Wilbon is Mariotti Jr.

I don't care who recites the quote, it is classic considering the situation. I don't really have an opinion on Wilbon one way or the other.

[Fred Garvin 2.0]

I'm gonna try and look at this like a pragmatist.

The crime here was that Tressel knew and didn't go to university lawyers. His attorney-client priv excuse doesn't even make sense.

Atl's comments about it being "slimy" because Tressel forced them to return is puzzling. Nothing was binding. If Pryor or Herron were first rounders they'd be gone. It's that simple.

I woulda been far more aggressive and suspended Tressel thru the first Big 10 game.
That might take some teeth out of a penalty.

Tressel isn't in the smoking gun category of Pearl. He can cling to his story and plead ignorance. He can claim to be ignorant of the law; that if he had been legally correct he would have come clean.

[Fred Garvin 2.0]

I don't care who recites the quote, it is classic considering the situation. I don't really have an opinion on Wilbon one way or the other.

Well then, going by your criteria there has never been a valid autobiography in the history of the world since it is easy to discredit someone when you cut-and-paste like Wilbon.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Well then, going by your criteria there has never been a valid autobiography in the history of the world since it is easy to discredit someone when you cut-and-paste like Wilbon.

I don't know anything about my criteria or credible autobiographies. All I know is Tressel wrote a book and put that quote from someone else in his book as something he stood by and believed in, and given the recent happenings I find it amusing.

[Fred Garvin 2.0]

Let's get back to you and your silly statistic. You got on your high horse and mocked Tressel becasuse of 375 self-reported violations
In your book it is a negative for a universtiy to report itself? This is what you use to impugn Tressel's character? I see it as a program's mark of integrity. I wish it was 500.

You are aware that there was a recent incident on the other board where an alleged recruit posted. People on these boards alerted the ADepartment so they could self-report.

And am I to assume 375 is over Tressel's entire reign? Well we just had one for little old X. So 37 a year for a program of OSU's size is unfathomable?

[Fred Garvin 2.0]

I don't know anything about my criteria or credible autobiographies. All I know is Tressel wrote a book and put that quote from someone else in his book as something he stood by and believed in, and given the recent happenings I find it amusing.

Stil Il don't see why you and Wilbon think it is hilarious that this man wrote a book professing what he believed in.

Let's say I'm a recovering addict and form a clinic to help other addicts. One day I write a book professing my beliefs. Years down the road I experience trauma and fall off the wagon.

So I'm to believe you would mock me by quoting from my book. Neglecting to mention the thousands of people I helped in the past? Because I guarantee Jim Tressel has helped many a kid.

Face it, yer just a hater.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Stil Il don't see why you and Wilbon think it is hilarious that this man wrote a book professing what he believed in.

Let's say I'm a recovering addict and form a clinic to help other addicts. One day I write a book professing my beliefs. Years down the road I experience trauma and fall off the wagon.

So I'm to believe you would mock me by quoting from my book. Neglecting to mention the thousands of people I helped in the past? Because I guarantee Jim Tressel has helped many a kid.

Face it, yer just a hater.

It would be different if it were an isolated incident. Like I and others have pointed out Tressel has had other incidents where he plead ignornace. He plead ignorance in this situation until he got caught. He lied in the beginning and he lied in his press conference after getting caught. The man has owned up to nothing, he has continued to lie and give bullshit excuses. He is a farce. He got caught red handed this time.

Hater or no hater I'm lovin it!

I cant wait for the NCAA to rule on this one.

[kyxu]

I really don't think addiction is an appropriate analogy for this situation.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I really don't think addiction is an appropriate analogy for this situation.

edit

[xavierj]

It would be different if it were an isolated incident. Like I and others have pointed out Tressel has had other incidents where he plead ignornace. He plead ignorance in this situation until he got caught. He lied in the beginning and he lied in his press conference after getting caught. The man has owned up to nothing, he has continued to lie and give bullshit excuses. He is a farce. He got caught red handed this time.

Hater or no hater I'm lovin it!

I cant wait for the NCAA to rule on this one.

Coaches plead ignorance all of the time and most of their fans buy it or at least want to buy it to keep doing what they do. Anyone remember Bobby Huggins in Cincinnati acting like he had no idea that his players had condo's and car's for free. He let John Lawyer take the fall and the guy has been blackballed ever since never coaching in college again. Jim Tressel seems like a good guy but he also seems that he is not above cheating or lying to protect his image or his success.

[Smails]

Win games and play dumb. To say that Tressel has an impeccable record on ethics is laughable at best.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1920867

[MCXU]

It's coming up on 48 hours since the story and I think I am ready to weigh in.

I wanted to take some time in order to objectively look at this since I am a lifelong buckeyes football fan.

I have reached the conclusion that they probably need to cut ties with Tressel on this one.

To me, it looks like it was intentional and he got caught.

From what I can see the University is taking the proper steps as far as notifying the NCAA back in January when they found out.

I think they are hoping that the NCAA will go lightly because they notified them immediatly, but the 2 game suspension in not going to cut it.

They probably need to step up and either force him to resign or fire him.

What he did or should I say didn't do is a big deal no matter what the excuse may be.

[DC Muskie]

Win games and play dumb. To say that Tressel has an impeccable record on ethics is laughable at best.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1920867

I would like someone to find me one person in college football who wins and doesn't play dumb.

I mean really if they fire Tressel, they are pretty much going to have to fire every big time college football coach. Wow they found a guy at Youngstown who got paid by a booster?!! Shocking! It's actually kinda sad considering YSU wasn't even D 1.

Brian Kelly got some kid killed and kept his job. But Tressel didn't tell someone about an email regarding players trading their stuff for tattoos.

I like how the Latern is all like, "College football is spiraling out of control!" Seriously. Email and tattoos? Like firing Tressel is somehow going to stop this type of horrible behavior.

Really, I'm super glad Xavier doesn't have a football program. We don't need this crap.

[xavierj]

I would like someone to find me one person in college football who wins and doesn't play dumb.

I mean really if they fire Tressel, they are pretty much going to have to fire every big time college football coach. Wow they found a guy at Youngstown who got paid by a booster?!! Shocking! It's actually kinda sad considering YSU wasn't even D 1.

Brian Kelly got some kid killed and kept his job. But Tressel didn't tell someone about an email regarding players trading their stuff for tattoos.

I like how the Latern is all like, "College football is spiraling out of control!" Seriously. Email and tattoos? Like firing Tressel is somehow going to stop this type of horrible behavior.

Really, I'm super glad Xavier doesn't have a football program. We don't need this crap.

Wow that's a little harsh. That was a tragic accident and very unfortunate. I don't think Brian Kelly knowingly put the guy in a situation to get him killed on purpose. I think that decision was just not very smart. I also doubt if the head football coach is the guy in charge of guys filming practice. I am sure they have someone else who is in charge of films.

With that said I don't think he should be fired but I also don't want people saying what a great person of integrity and honesty Tressel is. The guy lied to his bosses and to the mob bosses that run the NCAA. If he were a player he would be banned for life like Dez Bryant.

[Masterofreality]

Ok, so Oh-ho-ho State fired basketball coach Jim O'Brien for violating NCAA rules. O'Brien did not win basketball games, however.

Oh-ho-ho State gives Jim Tressell a slap on the wrist for violating NCAA rules. Jim Tressell wins football games.

Here's what O'Brien did and got fired for. You judge whethe the punishments fit the crimes.

O'Brien's lawyer, James Zeszutek, told ESPN.com that O'Brien received a letter by hand from the university stating that he was being fired for alleged violations of NCAA bylaws. Zeszutek also said O'Brien expected to go through an NCAA appeals process to contest his dismissal.

Geiger would not say whether the money was O'Brien's or came from another source.

"My understanding is it was not the school's (money)," Geiger said.

Geiger said O'Brien indicated he gave the $6,000 to Radojevic because the player's father had died, his mother was unable to work and he had three siblings.

Radojevic never played a game at Ohio State.

[DC Muskie]

The fact is Kelly called for a practice on a very dangerous day. I'm quite certain he didn't expect it to happen. But it did and it could have been prevented.

My only point was people think Tressel should be fired over guys exchanging stuff that was theirs for tattoos, while Kelly keeps his job despite a student dying.

Heck Frantz over in Iowa got to keep his job and what 13 players went to the hospital?

Dumb judgment is dumb judgment.

And college football is hilarious.

[DC Muskie]

MOR, you know pretty much every company handles firing people differently.

Are you really trying to say what O'Brien did and what Tressel did are not even remotely the same.

Also, O'Brien did win. He took them to the Final Four, won 2 Big Ten championships and a school record 4 consecutive tournament appearances.

Ohio State botched the firing obviously. But let's not try and say the situations were the same.

[Masterofreality]

MOR, you know pretty much every company handles firing people differently.

Are you really trying to say what O'Brien did and what Tressel did are not even remotely the same.

Also, O'Brien did win. He took them to the Final Four, won 2 Big Ten championships and a school record 4 consecutive tournament appearances.

Ohio State botched the firing obviously. But let's not try and say the situations were the same.

They are not necessarily the same. Just throwing it out there for comparison.

And you're right, O'Brien did win- in the early years there, but was not winning when was fired. He was 17-15 and 14-16 in his last two years.

What I will say is this: With O'Brien, OSU was no doubt looking for a change, and they made it. No so much of a desire to change now from Tressel, me thinks.

[Smails]

MOR, you know pretty much every company handles firing people differently.

Are you really trying to say what O'Brien did and what Tressel did are not even remotely the same.

Also, O'Brien did win. He took them to the Final Four, won 2 Big Ten championships and a school record 4 consecutive tournament appearances.

Ohio State botched the firing obviously. But let's not try and say the situations were the same.

I don't think he should be fired either, but I think it's funny how a lot of the OSU fans out there aren't admitting that Jim Tressel is either A) A bold faced liar or B) Ignortant of his surrondings to the point of stupidity. I'm pretty sure he's not a dumb guy. He lied through his teeth and got caught...it happens. It's not bad judgement...it's dishonesty. Call a spade a spade.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I don't think he should be fired either, but I think it's funny how a lot of the OSU fans out there aren't admitting that Jim Tressel is either A) A bold faced liar or B) Ignortant of his surrondings to the point of stupidity. I'm pretty sure he's not a dumb guy. He lied through his teeth and got caught...it happens. It's not bad judgement...it's dishonesty. Call a spade a spade.

My thoughts as well.

[ATL Muskie]

Fred, the part about suspending the kids seems slimy to me because he half-assed their suspensions and it seems (can't prove it) that he strong-armed them into serving their time for the crime and then he gets a lousy two games. AJ Green from UGA sold a damn jersey and sat out 4 pretty important regular season games. I just have a problem with Tressel throwing the book at kids and holding possible NFL draft status over their heads and then he walks away. What they did was wrong but not the end of the world. He's a grown man who is making a shit load of money and we should expect better of him. If he really wanted to punish them, then no bowl game. But that didn't happen.

[LutherRackleyRulez]

Per The Post Game....

Disingenuous Tressel Is Wizard At Spinning Empty Words
by Rand Getlin

I remember watching Ohio State coach Jim Tressel sit in front of the cameras. I remember the look of dejection on his face as he announced the suspensions of five key players, including his star quarterback. It was December. A bowl game was just days away, and Tressel’s face only seemed to grow longer as probing questions continued to expose the rules broken by his kids.

Some people just don't do the right things, he said -– sometimes your better judgment gets overridden by perceived necessity. But always, Tressel said, the buck stops with him.

Three months later, it finally has.

On the heels of a damning Yahoo! Sports report, which revealed Tressel had known of his players’ potential ineligibility the entire 2010 season, the Buckeyes coach once again stood before cameras.

Only this time, we weren’t talking about the mistakes of his players. It was Tressel under the microscope.

After leaving their coach hanging off a bridge with no comment for nearly 24 hours after Yahoo! Sports published its report, Ohio State revealed in Tuesday’s news conference it had self-reported Tressel’s unethical conduct infraction to the NCAA. Specifically, the Buckeyes admitted Tressel suppressed a tip that several players were selling memorabilia to Edward Rife, the owner of Fine Line Ink Tattoos.

The email tip was received on April 2, 2010, more than eight months before Ohio State was previously believed to be aware of the scheme. Tressel responded to the informant with concern and said he would look into the situation. It wasn’t until Tuesday that Tressel claimed the nature of emails -– which included information about Rife’s suspected drug trafficking -– made the coach feel as if he needed to keep the information secret from the outside world.

When asked why he hadn’t come forth with the emails before federal agents informing Ohio State that Rife was in possession of Buckeyes memorabilia, Tressel said his silence stemmed from not knowing who to speak to about the information.

When asked if it ever crossed his mind that his players’ eligibility may be affected after reading the emails, Tressel said “at some point in time, yeah, I think so, but not to the degree that I thought about their safety and the seriousness of the big picture. As I said at the outset, I probably did not give it the amount of thought from the eligibility standpoint that it deserved.”

At best, Tressel is being disingenuous. At worst, he’s lying through his teeth. And frankly, Tressel isn’t giving college football fans enough credit. The rationale for his deception miserably fails any reasonable test of logic.

We are supposed to believe that one of the most buttoned-up, intelligent coaches in the country didn’t know Ohio State’s compliance office was the first place he should have run to after receiving information on potential NCAA infractions? That his sole motive in concealing the information was to protect his players?

Had he never dealt with a situation where he had become aware of rules violations before? The truth of the matter is, Tressel’s actions provided us with a glimpse at college football’s thinly veiled truth. His silence stands as proof that winning in college football takes precedent over all else, including morals, ethics, contracts and NCAA rules.

In Tressel's new book, "The Winner's Manual," he writes, "to many people, winning is everything. Striving for a conference championship can be a passion that turns into an obsession ... I’ve seen the positives of setting a goal and pushing a team of players to achieve it ... But I’ve also seen the destructive force of that kind of ruthless search and what it can do to ... coaches who try to win at all costs."

How ironic that Tressel fell victim to the very destructive force he describes.

This wasn’t solely about mistakes that were made in an attempt to protect his kids. Or an inability to determine who best to speak with about a sensitive subject. It was about winning. It looks like a willful deception carried out by a nearly omnipotent head coach in an attempt to protect his own interests as well. And were it not for the United States Attorney’s Office bringing it to light, the deception probably wouldn’t have been exposed.

The most troubling aspect of this situation is how Tressel left his kids out to dry, though. The fact that Tressel allowed his players to be scapegoated during the firestorm surrounding their suspension, knowing full well that he was the one who exposed them to the scrutiny, is troubling to say the least. He didn’t step in to protect them from the attacks. He stood by and watched the media pick them apart.

However, when Tressel met with his players in December and told them if they didn’t commit to coming back for their final season that he wouldn’t allow them to play in the Sugar Bowl, he pulled off his greatest feat of deceit. He convinced those kids that coming back to Ohio State was in their best interests. That coming back would allow them to redeem themselves. To learn from their mistakes and grow as men.

But after those kids took a leap of faith at the coach’s behest, and the time came for Tressel to give them the ultimate life lesson, to accept responsibility for his transgressions and the corresponding punishment, Tressel’s principle-above-all-else facade crumbled. As he stood at the microphone and faced the media, he could have used the moment to make an indelible gesture to his players, illustrating that ethics and integrity really do matter. Instead, Tressel retreated behind a tale of vague and confusing interpretation, leaving many of us with one conclusion: He’s a wizard of spinning good, wholesome hopelessly empty words.

Tressel was one of college football's untouchables. He was a man who was considered by many to be beyond reproach. A man who stood for teaching the value of character, ethics and integrity to his student-athlete pupils.

But on Tuesday, we found out that Tressel is not untouchable. He's not beyond reproach. And the value of the lessons the Buckeyes coach taught about character, ethics and integrity mean a lot less today than they did when we believed he practiced the tenets that he taught.

The fact is, the two-game suspension and $250,000 fine don’t sound very equitable in the face of the five-game suspension each of his players face for lesser transgressions. And there are still potential NCAA infractions to be dealt with, including unethical conduct, failure to monitor and a failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance. The odds are the NCAA will hold Tressel accountable, and restore some believability to this supposed tale of morals, ethics and accountability.

Before Tuesday, we thought those words were the definition of Jim Tressel. Now we’re left to wonder whether they will be his undoing.

- Rand Getlin covers issues at the intersection of law and sports for ThePostGame.com. He is a sports attorney and president of Synrgy Sports Consulting.



http://www.thepostgame.com/commentary/201103/jim-tressel-ohio-state-football

[Xavgrad08]

Remember how Jim didn't forward the emails because of " Confidentiality". Well it turns out that has been proven to be a bogus excuse. Tressel forwarded the information to Ted Sarniak, a mentor to Terrelle Pryor. If I am the AD at Ohio State , I am wondering why he shared the emails with someone else and not the compliance department.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2011/03/25/tressels-emails-were-forwarded.html?sid=101

[Juice]

Remember how Jim didn't forward the emails because of " Confidentiality". Well it turns out that has been proven to be a bogus excuse. Tressel forwarded the information to Ted Sarniak, a mentor to Terrelle Pryor. If I am the AD at Ohio State , I am wondering why he shared the emails with someone else and not the compliance department.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2011/03/25/tressels-emails-were-forwarded.html?sid=101

It was a dumb excuse to begin with because the confidentiality was supposed to be on the part of the lawyer and his client. Tressel isn't a lawyer so he has no duty to the client. Granted this exposes his lying even more but it was dumb from the beginning.