The End of an Era??

When Jim Tressel first came to Ohio State this traditional football powerhouse was anything but. John Cooper, Tressel’s predecessor struggled when it mattered most with a 3-8 bowl record and in most Buckeye hearts the more important 2–10–1 record against rival Michigan. Following an 8-4 season and an embarrassing loss to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl John Cooper was let go. The Ohio State administration decision to hand the reigns of a College Football Mecca over to the unknown 1-AA coach Jim Tressel came with many doubts whether Tressel was the right man for the job.

Everyone knows about the success Tressel had after this decision was made winning seven of the last nine Big Ten Championships and maintaining a current streak of six straight. Three appearances in the national championship game. One national championship. Seven straight wins over Michigan. Twenty weeks ranked No.1, 12 weeks at No. 2 and 48 weeks in the top five. Despite the successes of JT, people are again questioning the future of this prestigious program.

In early December news surfaced about Five Ohio State Football players, including superstar Terrelle Pryor, selling personal memorabilia to a local tattoo shop for improper benefits. These players were eligible to play the 2011 Sugar Bowl (some say the NCAA ASKED Ohio State to play these stars) but will be ineligible for the first 5 games of the 2011 season, including marquee matchups at Miami and against co defending champion Michigan State. Even worse for the program is that just weeks before spring practice was slated to begin, reports as well as emails began to circulate that Jim Tressel had been made aware of this connection between the players prior to the 2010 season ever kicking off. While many players, families of players, and future recruits are proud of what Tressel did protecting his players, much of the nations media is beginning to lash out on Ohio State putting pressure on administration to make the move to fire Tressel.

Two more reasons why the future of Ohio State is in question. This season was already going to be a “rebuilding season” for Ohio State’s defense. Losing key starters Chimdi Chekwa, Cam Heyward, Brian Rolle, and Ross Homan. This was supposed to be the year that Ohio State’s offense picked of the slack for the young defense. With the loss of Star Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, running back Boom Herron, Wide Receiver Devier Posey, and future NFL Left Tackle Mike Adams, people question what unit offense or defense will lead this team. 

The final reason for Ohio State's questionable future is the arrival of Brady Hoke to arch Rival Michigan. This guy had many people excited about the future of Michigan football very similar to the appeal surrounding Jim Tressel’s hire in 01. His emphasis on beating “that team in Ohio” will only add fuel to this great football rivalries’ fire. Will Hoke be able to succeed? Tune in to Believe the Hype in the coming months for your answer.

-Leo