Tressel On The Hot Seat; Urban Meyer To OSU’s Rescue?

The Ohio State University is possibly facing the most severe NCAA penalties in the history of its football program and the end of the Jim Tressel era could soon be coming to an end.

OSU made public today a letter they received from the NCAA and the main focus was on Tressel. In the notice to the college the NCAA accuses Tressel of lying or withholding the knowledge that at least 2 of his player were selling memorabilia to a Columbus tattoo parlor owner.

The university was not cited for “failure to monitor” or “failure of institutional control” violations, which could have likely lead to the harshest of penalties.

The 13-page NCAA document says, in part “It was reported that Jim Tressel, head football coach, failed to deport himself in accordance with the honesty and integrity normally associated with the conduct and administration of intercollegiate athletics and violated ethical-conduct legislation.”

The NCAA alleges that:

Tressel was guilty of ethical misconduct when he knowingly provided false information to the NCAA in certifying that he knew of no potential violations by his players and failed to inform OSU officials.

Ohio State fielded ineligible players last season when starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor and others competed despite Tressel’s knowledge of their misconduct. NCAA bylaws call for immediate suspensions.

Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, Solomon Thomas and Jordan Whiting will not face further punishment, according to the NCAA. They have been suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season.

According to the Dispatch in Columbus, the allegation that Tressel lied to the NCAA is quite significant. As of2006, the NCAA has sanctioned 28 college and universities for the same ethics violations that Tressel is accused of.

Of the 13 head coaches accused, only one kept her job, as all the others either resigned or were fired by superiors.

The Dispatch further notes that since 2004, four universities that are part of the Football Bowl Championship division were penalized by the NCAA for allowing ineligible players to participate in games and for being repeat offenders. Alabama (football), South Alabama (men’s tennis), Arkansas (track) and Southern California (football) each had to vacate all victories in which the ineligible athletes competed. All were placed on probation, but only Southern California was banned from post-season competition.

AND WHAT ABOUT URBAN MEYER?

Beano Cook, who used to be the big dog on college football circuit, has made some outrageous predictions in the past, including forecasting that Ron Powlus would win two Heismans at Notre Dame. Cook said Thursday during an interview on ESPN radio he expects Urban Meyer to be the coach at Ohio State in 2012.

“Urban Meyer will be ready to coach somewhere,” Cook said. “He said when he was coaching Florida that there were only three schools he would ever coach at – Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame. I think Brian Kelly is going to do the job at Notre Dame and Michigan just hired a new coach, and I think this will be Jim Tressel’s last year.”

Meyer was born in Toledo. Grew up in Ashtabula. Played defensive back for the Cincinnati Bearcats. Started his coaching career at Ohio State. Has his Masters from Ohio State.

Only time will tell if Tressel remains at the helm of the Buckeyes with the latest NCAA news.