Jim Tressel Press Conference: Anecdotes and Observations

This afternoon's annual interview with Jim Tressel to open spring practice was the media's first opportunity to speak with Tressel since his press conference with Gordon Gee and Gene Smith.  As one may expect, many media members took the opportunity to quiz Tressel surrounding 'tattoo gate.'  And, as one may expect, little news was made in this type of press conference, with the primary exception being the announcement that Luke Fickell was named associate head coach and interim coach for those games in which Tressel is suspended.  We'll start with that announcement and cover several other tidbits.  

 Most Buckeye fans' will be pleased with this announcement, as Coach Fickell is a young, savvy coach that is viewed favorably amongst the fan base.  In practice, this will have minimal effect on play-calling.  Jim Bollman will continue to call plays on offense, and will likely be exclusively responsible for game calls, without Tressel's input.  Defensively, Jim Heacock will remain primarily responsible, with input from Fickell, as the two have functioned in recent years.

The more intriguing situation will be game time decisions such as when to kick or go to two-point conversations.  FIckell indicated that situation would still be resolved.  As both Coach Tressel and Fickell hinted at, such decisions will likely be made in a committee-style decision.

Tressel also made clear that he had no intention of resigning.

"We think what’s important here are these kids," Tressel said. "Whether you have some personal discomfort going on or you make personal mistakes or whatever, (resigning) wouldn’t be something that would jump in my mind unless there came a point in time where I said in my mind, ‘The best thing for those kids would be if I do.’

"I don’t feel that way."

It should come as no surprise to most observers that Jim Tressel has no plans to step down.  Absent some jarring new revelation, Jim Tressel is locked in to move forward.

"What I owed to Ohio State was 24-7," Tressel said. "I know this, as the season begins next year it may be 24/6. I know that but we’ll work hard to make sure our guys are ready to go. It’ll be 24/6, and the seventh day is the one you love."

Beyond an example of classic Tressel dead-pan humor, the statement is simply a reminder that this remains Tressel's team.  Even without coaching, in-week preparation has a far bigger influence on whether a team wins on Saturday than any in-game decisions.  The main message coming from the presser was that Tressel remains fully in-control and has no intention of that changing.