Gene Smith Interviewed by Associated Press, Admits Initial Press Conference Mishandled

The AP interviewed Gene Smith, and all of the questions related to the Jim Tressel situation. Smith declined to comment on the NCAA investigation that is currently ongoing, but he did touch on subjects surrounding the issue. Notably, Smith said that the internal investigation's costs would not be covered by Tressel's $250,000 fine and that the school may dip into the funds earned by the 2010 Buckeye football team for its Sugar Bowl appearance. Smith also stated that the case involving the players was complete and that no further inquiry was being done into the original issue. He went on to address the initial press conference announcing the internal investigation, admitting that it was mishandled.

After Yahoo! Sports broke the Tressel story in March, Smith, who was about to chair the prestigious NCAA men's basketball tournament selection committee, hastily called a news conference. Tressel was supposed to apologize that night, but did not.

"Then we got with him and he got better at it," Smith said. "It's an emotional thing."

At that same news conference, Ohio State president Gordon Gee joked that he had not considered firing Tressel, adding, "I'm just hopeful the coach doesn't dismiss me."

On Tuesday, Smith said he regretted that the hurried news conference did not go better and said there were a number of things he wished he had done differently.

While Yahoo!'s report merely uncovered Ohio State's internal investigation, it did force Ohio State to announce the results of the investigation before the administration was ready. This led to a hasty press conference where everyone involved-- Smith, Tressel, and Gee-- appeared to be sending different messages to the audience. It was a serious public relations blunder, and it prevented the Buckeye administration from controlling the message before it was sent off into the claws of the media. In the future, Ohio State's Athletic Department needs to hire a public relations firm for guidance, or, if they already employ one, they need to hire someone better. It is uncomfortable enough watching your program admit fault, but doubly so when it is squirming under the bright lights of the camera.