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What to do with Jim Tressel. This is the dilemma facing Ohio State. Obviously the man is in big trouble with the NCAA. We know he is gone for 5 games, and still faces the wrath and indignation of the NCAA. That could cost him the rest of the year. It could also cost Ohio State all kinds of sanctions including scholarship reductions, and a possible ban on bowl games.

Now Ohio State must make a decision. What to do with him. Tressel is certainly a successful coach. His 106-22 record overall is proof of that. No one can question that record, or can they? Well, let’s look at the overall picture, because that is exactly what A.D. Gene Smith is going to have to do. Ohio State has a 6-4 overall bowl record since Tressel took over. That is O.K, but certainly nothing to write home about. Tressel has won numerous Big 10 championships, but we are talking about the Big 10, and the Big 10 has not been a standout conference in the past 10 years. Overall, the Big 10 has a losing record in bowl games during that time.

Tressel is also 2-2 in BCS Bowl games, including the now controversial win against Arkansas in last season’s Sugar Bowl. That win was Tressel’s first win over an SEC team. His record against SEC teams now sits at 1-3. He also is 1-2 against Texas, and 0-2 against USC. His record also includes 23 wins in 10 years agains non-BCS teams.

Compare that to Pete Carroll at USC. Another “dirty” program. Carroll’s USC teams went 97-19 overall. They were 7-2 in bowl games, and 6-1 in BCS Bowl games. They were 4-0 against SEC teams, and 7-0 against Big 10 teams. With all of that success, Carroll still “left” USC for a better pro job, even though he stated on many occasions that he would never leave USC. Once USC hired a new President, and basically stripped Mike Garrett of his powers, Carroll saw the handwriting on the wall.

So Ohio State finds itself in a dilemma. No one can question Tressel’s success in the Big 10. That goes without saying. His record against non-con national powers is not nearly as good. No one knows what sanctions the NCAA will place against the Ohio State program, but sanctions are coming. Many want them to be as stiff as the ones given to USC. Obviously, this is not going to help the Ohio State program. As long as Tressel is there, the NCAA will be watching Ohio State’s every move. They will be on Ohio State like a fly on caca.

So do you keep a coach who has had a tremendous record in the Big 10, and risk constant monitoring by the NCAA, or do you cut him loose? Some Ohio State fans that I know have questioned Tressel’s offensive production over the years. Some think that another person could have had the same amount of success as Tressel has had, considering the talent Ohio State has had for the past 10 years. Is that true? I do not know. What I do know is that these are the decisions that Ohio State must make when determining whether or not to keep Tressel.

There are some Ohio State and Big 10 fans in here. Jerry is a big Ohio State supporter. So I will direct this question to him. What do you do with Tressel if you are the A.D., Jerry? Do you keep him and hope that you do not draw any more attention from the NCAA, or do you get rid of him. If you get rid of him, do you do so BEFORE the NCAA drops the hammer on Ohio State, or after? Will getting rid of Tressel now help to mitigate some of the circumstances at Ohio State, and lead to less sanctions against Ohio State, or is the damage already done and nothing will help the situation?

Tough choice. Let’s hear some opinions on this.

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By BigdaddyQH – Jabberhead, SJ Contributing Author

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