Ohio St. players, alums still stand behind Tressel

By Joanne Viviano

Associated Press

Published: Monday, May 30 2011 3:31 p.m. MDT

Photo

View 1 photo »

Summary

As others labeled him a cheater and liar, Ohio State fans stood by Jim Tressel on Monday as the coach resigned amid an NCAA investigation into the football program.

"It's like he sacrificed himself for his players," she said. "He wants to make sure his players have a good career after all this over with."

Ohio State said linebackers coach Luke Fickell will serve as interim coach for the 2011 season and a search for a Tressel replacement will start after the season. Fickell already had been selected to be the interim coach while Tressel served the five-game suspension.

Langhenry, 25, said he believes Ohio State will still be among the top college football teams in the country.

"It's Ohio State. They'll be fine," he said. "They'll take it. They'll recover."

Parker said he hopes the resignation, by separating the coach from the school, helps the university as it heads into the NCAA infraction hearing. He said he hopes Ohio state doesn't see players transferring, withdrawing commitments or playing for rivals.

"If we lose some of our top recruits from Michigan," he said, "that would be the worst thing I think."

«Prev
Page:
1
2

Featured Comments

See all 2 comments »

Resolute Voice

Salt Lake City, UT

While it is admirable that the players are loyal to their coach, the saddest failure is that their coach failed at a key component of his job. Tressels responsibility was not just to coach X's and O's it was teaching core values that extend beyond More..

7:32 a.m. May 31, 2011
Top comment

JDL

Magna, UT

Resolute Voice:

With all due respect, I agree with all but one particular word in your post. I would make the case that We should all learn from Tressel's "choice."

Mistake seems to infer unintended action, while More..

11:10 a.m. May 31, 2011
Top comment

Comments