Jim Tressel, the former football coach at Ohio State University, dodged questions about his potential 2026 run for governor in favor of discussing his policy views and the lessons he took away from his NCAA incident.
It has been confirmed that the political rookie would take over as Governor Mike DeWine’s deputy. He was appointed lieutenant governor by the governor, succeeding now-Senator Jon Husted.
During a ten-minute one-on-one interview, he remarked, “I don’t pretend to be an expert yet or maybe ever.”
It is anticipated that Tressel will prioritize education.
The soon-to-be LG stated that districts are supported as a priority, despite threats from some Republican lawmakers to reduce state funding for public schools.
He stated, “I will always be an advocate for the funding of education,” highlighting his position as president of Youngstown State University and his efforts to secure additional funding.
He reiterated his support for school spending while acknowledging the complexity of the present funding mechanism and the fact that he still has a lot to learn.
By the end of January, Republican leadership had abandoned their unwavering plan to reduce $666 million by not finishing the last stage of the Fair School Funding Plan.
Although not more than K–12 public schools, Tressel stated that he does support Ohio’s private school voucher program.
Regarding the attempt to privatize education, Tressel stated, “There’s no way that I would think, Well, you know what, we don’t really need to have public schools if we can just have all these others.”
When it comes to abortion and recreational marijuana, he stood up for the will of the people.
“You support it when it’s the law,” he replied.
Regarding sports betting, Tressel is in favor of the governor’s proposal to increase sportsbook taxes.
He claimed that these gambling organizations, the most of which are located outside the state, are profiting greatly off our citizens. They will now have the opportunity to support projects related to child sports.
He is concerned about addiction and how simple it is for Ohioans to fall victim to the industry’s manipulation when it comes to gambling in general. He expressed worry about the long-term impact on people as well as his concerns about all addictions, including his vice, donuts. Nevertheless, he believes that increasing the price of gaming makes great sense.
He claimed that he used to be upset about the state’s involvement in higher education. However, he seems to think that a medium ground can always be found.
We were already having some difficulties, so we weren’t scared to have the discussion, “Hey, this might have been a good thought, but it has created an unfunded mandate for us,” he said. “We would receive some mandates from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and there would be an expense associated with it.”
Given that the state is currently coping with the fallout from the worst corruption scam in its history, the LG is a prominent position.
Following more than $60 million in bribes from FirstEnergy to lawmakers, his predecessor, now-Senator Husted, was allegedly spearheading the effort to pass Ohio House Bill 6, a fraudulent piece of legislation that enacted a $1.3 billion bailout.
Tressel’s stint at Ohio State came to an end in a contentious manner. After several players were accused of receiving tattoos and other perks in return for signatures, jerseys, and even championship rings, OSU was sanctioned, and he resigned.
When you and your team were the subject of an NCAA, DOJ, and FBI investigation in 2010 and 2011, what lessons did you take away about accountability and transparency? We questioned Tressel.
“Well, I think the biggest lesson I learned is that you really need to go and seek counsel whenever you’re not entirely informed about things and you’re not exactly sure what the next step should be.” “And you’ll make fewer mistakes if you always go and double-check what you’re thinking,” he said.
According to our earlier investigation and filings in the Ohio Supreme Court, Tressel was aware of the financial arrangement but chose not to notify authorities. The NCAA accused him of lying and hiding information in order to keep players on the field, according to ESPN.
The former coach went on to say in the interview that being busy sometimes prevents you from producing your finest work or from getting a second or third opinion.
“I think you can make mistakes when things are hurried,” he remarked. Whatever I learnt fifteen years ago, it was a terrific lesson.
The governor’s choice begs the question: Was the coach selected to succeed DeWine?
If a run for governor was in the cards, Tressel wouldn’t answer all of the questions.
He responded, “I’m concentrating on each of the 696 days I have left to see if I can make a difference, and I’ll let what comes from that.”
Is it conceivable, then?
At Ohio State, I was the head coach. Did I intend for it to occur? No. Did I anticipate it happening? No. Was that what I hoped for? No. The same thing is somewhat true now. Tressel answered, “I’ve been focused where I am when I’m there.” That doesn’t indicate anything other than that I’m focused on today, so no, I’m not thinking about it.
So you wouldn’t think about it later?
He answered, obviously avoiding repeated attempts to pin him down, “Will I consider it in the rest of this day, no, and I probably won’t consider it tomorrow, which is part of the future.” In terms of futuristic thought, however, I don’t go too far.
For years, other Republicans have been rising through the ranks. Do you believe that you would start at, say, third base if you were running for governor in 2026?
He said, “Gosh, I feel like I’m starting from the dugout with how much I don’t know right now.” He also mentioned how fascinating it has been to listen in on the governor’s meetings with various departments. Right now, I’m not even out on the field, much less third base.
Getting sworn in Friday afternoon is the first step in his attempt to live day by day.
Under a content-sharing arrangement, this piece was first published on News5Cleveland.com and is now published in the Ohio Capital Journal. Since WEWS in Cleveland owns it, other news organizations are unable to freely republicate it, unlike other OCJ stories.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.