Tressel named vice president at Akron
"I look forward to doing whatever I'm asked to do. I'm excited about being a Zip." -- Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel took a position today with the University of Akron as a vice president for strategic engagement and in the process indicated that his football-coaching career likely is over.
University president Luis Proenza made the announcement at a news conference at the school in which the former Ohio State coach was introduced to Akron administrators and students.
“Jim Tressel will be an asset to our leadership,” Proenza said. “He and his wife Ellen are looking forward to reaching out to alumni and collaborating with university, community and region to have an influence and impact on our students.”
In a statement released by Akron last night, the school said, “When Jim Tressel and other alumni assisted us in our search for a football coach last December, we began to engage in dynamic conversations about Jim’s professional goals outside of athletics. We share a common interest in innovative programs for student success.”
Akron hired Terry Bowden as football coach on Dec. 22 to replace Rob Ianello, who had a 2-22 record in two seasons with the Zips.
Tressel, 59, began his coaching career at Akron, serving as a graduate assistant for coach Jim Dennison in 1975, then served as an offensive assistant coach from 1976-78. He earned his master’s degree from Akron in 1977.
“It’s truly an honor to be here,” Tressel said. “I look forward to doing whatever I’m asked to do. I’m excited about being a Zip. ... I’m going to learn all I possibly can (about the university) in the next short while and see where I can help best.”
It appears that NCAA sanctions against Tressel will not impact his position with Akron. He was forced to resign on May 30 in the midst of an NCAA investigation of the Ohio State program related to players receiving tattoos and cash in exchange for OSU memorabilia.
Tressel ultimately was judged by the NCAA to have not been forthright at the beginning of the investigation and was hit with a five-year “show cause” penalty in December.
In essence, the penalty means that if a school tries to hire him in its athletic department during that period, it must show the NCAA why and monitor his actions. It also puts restrictions on what he can do in terms of recruiting and other duties. But it likely would have little or no effect on a job outside athletics.
Tressel acknowledged in the news conference that the “on-field part” of his career “was probably over.”
“I cannot have day-to-day contact with the football team,” he said. “But they don’t need another coach. I’ll have my hands full getting excited with the visions we have here.”
He added that he has no interest in coaching an NFL team. Tressel served as a replay-review consultant for the Indianapolis Colts this season. He was rumored to be a candidate for the Colts’ head-coaching position after Jim Caldwell was fired, but it is unclear whether he ever interviewed for the job.
Tressel was clear that his current position with Akron would not be based on the Zips’ athletics fortunes.
“My intent was to broaden myself beyond athletics,” he said. “I really have the passion to transfer my skill sets to outside of that.”
