Jamie Sabau - Getty Images
9 months ago: COLUMBUS, OH - FILE: Head coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches from the sideline as his team plays the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. The Indianapolis Colts announced September 2, 2011 that they have hired Jim Tressel as a consultant after the former Ohio State head coach resigned on May 30 following the revelation that his players had received inappropriate benefits. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Prior to the start of the 2011 season, the Colts hiring disgraced former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel as an instant replay consultant pretty much summed up everything that was wrong with the organization. Jim Caldwell, who was fired as Colts head coach Tuesday, was so clueless about replays that he actually needed a dedicated assistant to help him make the correct challenges to officiating calls.
Plus, from a P.R. standpoint, the move was seen as rewarding cronyism and corruption.
Tressel's behavior as Ohio State's head coach was deplorable, and only the most rabid and short-sighted of OSU fans defend his actions. Compounding the issue was that Tressel sold himself to fans and media as an upstanding guy. This was OSU, not the SEC. This program was squeaky clean. This is how college football athletics SHOULD be run.
The truth was far darker.
Bringing Tressel to Indy was a joke from the start. He voluntarily stayed away from the team for the first six games of the 2011 regular season because his former quarterback at OSU, Terrell Pryor, was suspended by the NFL six games for participating in the same inappropriate activity at OSU that Tressel was engaged in. We won't get into the silliness of suspending a player in the NFL for something he did in college, but the baggage Tressel brought stuffed into his sweater vest to Indy was unwanted and unnecessary.
With Indy firing coaches left and right as part of their 'New Era,' conventional wisdom was that Tressel would get the boot as well. Turns out conventional wisdom might be wrong. Reports have begun to surface that the Colts are actually considering Tressel as a replacement for the recently fired Jim Caldwell.
Should Tressel not get that gig, he could still remain with the organization in some capacity.
There was a report the Indianapolis Colts are at least considering disgraced former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel as head coach, who is on the Indianapolis staff as a gameday consultant. I checked with a Colts source and he said this: "No way in hell."
But this is the interesting part. The source explained that owner Jim Irsay likes Tressel and does want him to have some sort of role in the organization (a new head coach will have some say in that of course).
Freeman goes on to say that if Tressel is named the head coach, the Colts would become the laugh stock of the NFL. He's right. Even keeping Tressel as an consultant has more than a few people chuckling.
0 recs | 53 comments
i think were already a laughingstock
this organization is unraveling. Theres no way we’ll be competitive next year…its gonna take a long time
Especially since Morningwhig and Childress are frontrunners for the HC job!! You gotta be freaking kidding me!!
bigpony - January 19, 2012
You are right...
This organization is really going into the crapper. Polians were asses but you knew someone was in control and there was consistency. It’s an embarrassment and a laughing stock. This isn’t all the Manning injury. Irsay gave up control for a reason…he is obviously a wacko who Isnt focused enough to run operations. Is he going to twitter beef with everyone that publishes a bad report?! What a joke!
Grigson is fat and wears khaki pants and cheap ties to pressers. He looks like a loan officer at local BOA branch not GM of a franchise worth almost a billion dollars.
It was time for Polian to go for sure. But thy should have brought in an experienced guy paid him to run the whole show ala Cowher, Chuckie, even Fisher…not saying these guys are Jesus Christ, but thy know what they are doing both on and off the field…
Now with Irsay in control and a baby GM it’s gonna be a rudderless ship. Add a retread bad HC and it’s gonna be a long 5 years :-(
They should hire Jim Tressel. He is the only person that can save this mess. His actions were very stupid at OSU but this is the pros…he knows how to run a football operation and win.
(206)NightRidah - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Not sure if srs...
FatDT - January 19, 2012
Wow
How in the world can you tell what kinda of person/GM Grigson will be based off of his body type and tie?
Grigson seems to have a lot of respect around the league. Most outlets seem to regard this as a good hire. Must show a little patience or are we going to petition to rename the team the Indianapolis Hindenburgs?
Guy LeDouche - January 19, 2012
Professionalism...
I didn’t say he was or would be a bad GM. We don’t know that. However as a person who manages a large staff and financial account, which pales in comparison to the Colts value I don’t like my GM dressing like a 25 year old kid. Especially in front of cameras…
Suit cuff links nice shirt etc. Business is business. It’s not the whole picture but appearance means a lot to me. Being fat also bothers me a little because a COO/CEO is asking everyone to be disciplined and focused. Weighing three bills is the exact opposite of discipline.
Just my first (visual) impressions. I hope Grigson is a home run…
(206)NightRidah - January 19, 2012 via mobile
He was a freaking
OL in college and the NFL. Good grief.
ruascott - January 19, 2012
u sir are a d-bag.
Ever heard of not judging people without knowing them?
67ChevILL - January 21, 2012 via mobile
I'm a d-bag for expecting a COO of a billion dollar organization to be clean fit an well dressed...
Ooooooook!
But calling Bill Polian who needed to go but is a HOF GM a Ginger Souless Shitbag is acceptable…
That’s reasonable.
I work in business pal…im sure your great at what you do for a living but I expect certain standards…
(206)NightRidah - January 22, 2012 via mobile
Yeah...we should listen to you
Appearantly we should be picking our GM based upon their wardrobe.
Cograts, this is the stupidest fucking comment I’ve heard or read yet this week.
ruascott - January 19, 2012
When you run a billion dollar business
And especially when you are young. Your appearance counts. Everyone takes their cue from you. If you are sloppy it sets the tone. The boss demands discipline and hard work. If you weigh 300lbs that makes me question if you have it in your personal life.
No one said he would be a bad GM. But his appearance and not so eloquent speaking along with Irsay tweeting at every erroneous report doesn’t make me feel so hot. Look at Theo Epstien or Danny Ainge, young highly successful GMs in other sports. They look a certain way…it matters trust me!
I work in finance and manage a large portfolio of money so maybe I am just old fashioned. I generally expect people running large businesses to be fit and dress a certain way. Not to say the alternative means a person can’t manage.
I apologize if anyone was offended as thy was not my intent
(206)NightRidah - January 19, 2012 via mobile
How'd that work for all of the suits convicted of corporate fraud?
I understand that when you got your business degree and read Monster.com’s “Tips to Make a Lasting Impression at an Interview” you thought it was the be-all, end-all way to succeed in life, but as it just so happens … there have been plenty of tubs o’ goo that held prominent personnel positions in the NFL. Andy Reid is not exactly GQ material. I’m not going to look up all of the overweight GMs, executives, owners, etc. I’m trying to pin down what page of your Intro to Psych book enabled you to have such a basic, fundamentally flawed view of “success”. A majority of ex-NFL players are not egotistical WRs who base their entire life around staying “fit” and what pin-striped Perry Ellis suit they can bedazzle the NFL Network or Sunday Countdown set with. Some gain weight after their playing days because they’d rather spend time with their kids, go to Disney, and generally not have to destroy their body any more. I’d rather have a guy who works hard. I don’t care how cool his hairstyle is or if his shoulders are always squared or if he fits the young/successful/baby-faced handsome mold. If psych taught you anything, it’s that people like that can get away with some pretty foul shit. They never had to hone other traits because they always had those to fall back on. They failed to evolve on a multi-faceted level. The dude played, coached, and has worked his way up the ladder. Grigson can smell like a Tibetan petting zoo for all I care … as long as he makes good decisions. The franchise is not spiraling; stop being such a fatalist. Kind of reminds me of how Peyton would flail his arms around like some kind of delusional ostrich, then bark at everyone else. Peyton is tremendously smart, but he’s not a great leader. This is where you get to say that Brady is because he is more handsome. Luck will be a better leader than Manning, just like Rodgers is a better leader than Favre.
PTB Tested - January 20, 2012
Extreme response...
Being scruffy and overweight makes a statement…talent trumps all…but visual impressions matter. Many people stay in reasonable shape, have kids, have a good career. I’m sure you are one of those people.
You mention Andy Reid…if you don’t think his appearance and Rex Ryans appearance matters you are fooling yourself!
Don’t question my education or where I got my values from. I am well educated as I’m sure you are. You don’t know me as I don’t know you so insulting me isn’t really going to accomplish much. I’m sure you are very successful as am I and you opinions are of high value…
However, this is a Colts blog and to me these issues are fair game. If Polian can be called a soulless ginger shitbag then I can raise a concern as a business man about what I have noticed about his successor…
I don’t like the direction I see so far. Don’t like the owner blasting off twitter about org business. It was funny when hus tweets were by responsive to media. But now it seems bush league. I also feel that appearance counts in executive leadership and you don’t which is fine. Colts have had a brand of Midwestern values, elite busines savvy, great informed fans, and professionalism. Once Polian’s ego or in the way of professionalism he was shown the door. I just hope the elite aura about the teams management stays in place.
As I stated earlier these are my opinions and I am not looking to slam the overweight or people who dress a certain way. I just expect certain things from a guy running a 10 figure organization…
(206)NightRidah - January 20, 2012 via mobile
this has got to be the
Dumbest post I’ve seen yet. You’re a complete joke. FYI fans don’t care about the wardrobe of anyone in the front office. They care about one thing only: WINNING. As long as the organization does that, the fans will by tickets and in the “business” world that’s the 1st thing you should have learned (as you claim to be so business savvy). Fans don’t give a flying rats ass what kind of suit Ryan wears. Only you do so please stop trying to dump the rest of us in the same mindset of yours. You’re in that tug boat all by yourself pal.
deywalka - January 23, 2012 via mobile
I'd gladly take Tressel
The NCAA is full of shit. I know a lot of people will disagree with me but he is still a high character guy and we could do a lot worse then him.
stonewall12345678 - January 19, 2012
Yep and really considering what Penn State covered up I don’t have an issue with what he did at Ohio State.
That being said I don’t like Tressel and would rather have him not coach here. However compared to Childress I’ll take him.
CF4L - January 19, 2012
Tressel would be an excellent coach!
As long as he has a good OC and DC! What he did at OSU was wrong but it’s not anymore dishonest than spygate. He wasn’t involved and anyone receiving physical harm or sexual assault or theft.
Basically Tress thought that he had a NC team and didn’t want to start his season sans 5 of his best players. He wanted to finally beat down an SEC team so he got impatient and made a horrible judgement call.
OSU was never clean, I grew up in Columbus before settling in the Northwest and I played football with a lot of people that played at OSU trust me…the money flows. It’s the same pretty much everywhere.
I hope they give JT and interview…he is a better coach than both Dungy and Caldwell IMO.
(206)NightRidah - January 19, 2012 via mobile
I'd say Spygate
was much worse than Tressel
stonewall12345678 - January 19, 2012
Not defending what he did, but let's not act like he murdered someone.
Or covered up the child rape.
Relax, just a little.
Joseph* - January 19, 2012
deplorable may be a little much
http://www.theonion.com/articles/jim-tressel-named-coach-of-the-year-for-committing,26886/
he was coach of the year in 2011
muncie_in_this - January 19, 2012
We could do better.
But I do not want our next head coach to be Morningwhig or Childress. I thought the Colts where looking for a leader.
dave1251 - January 19, 2012
Wow... again...
I don’t want Tressel as coach of my Colts… but to describe him and what he did as “deplorable” and “the truth is much darker” … is just once again ridiculous…
My god man… he didn’t tell the NCAA he knew his players were selling/trading THEIR OWN MEMORABILIA…(yep that’s right there own posessions)… …. to hear you describe it ….He raped orphans and strangled puppies…LOL!
AJ Colt - January 19, 2012
What pisses people off about this is!
Integrity and accountability. Tressel has a history of both issues from his NCAA coaching experience at Ohio State and beyond. Do I think his is a bad guy no and he maybe a great coach. Did he make some mistakes yeah. But I do not know I perfect human. Do I think he should be on the staff in some role yeah. But this in not my decision to make.
dave1251 - January 19, 2012
Tressel Is by far the best coach available
(206)NightRidah - January 19, 2012 via mobile
I don't necessarily want Tressel as the Colts' HC, mainly because he has so little pro football experience,
but the rule that as “broken” by the OSU players is ridiculous. I still fail to see the logic in telling a football player that they cannot profit off of their own property. It seems ridiculous. A rule is a rule, and it shouldn’t be broken regardless, but I hold no ill will towards Tressel whatsoever.
Sir Sci - January 19, 2012
Tressel has ten years experience of running an elite franchise
If you give him a good OC and DC…then he would be a stud. Tress is great with players and the media…
Ohio State is equivalent to an NFL team
(206)NightRidah - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Tressel could very well be a great coach in the pros,
but to say that Ohio State is equivalent to an NFL team would be off the mark. I would say it would be incorrect to say that any college team is “equivalent” to a pro team. Remember that the worst of the starters in the NFL were at one point the best of college.
I’d like to see Tressel as an assistant head coach or something.
Sir Sci - January 19, 2012
Equivalent in stature money budgeting etc.
OSU Bama LSU USC Michigan Florida Oklahoma and Texas are huge revenue jobs. They all play 7-8 home games in stadiums seating near or more than 100k.
Not equivalent in talent but equivalent in stature. OSU is a Better job than the Bengals, Jaguars, Bills, and a lot of other small marker franchises
(206)NightRidah - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Tressel OC
Disagree, If you make Tressel the OC! HE will be a stud. Along with a DC like Spags and a Great LEADER for HC with more NFL experience and knowledge of the league. The COLTS will be there way back!!
shoospa - January 20, 2012
BTW...
I like the Carmicheal dude… would be very OK with him getting a shot at coach….
AJ Colt - January 19, 2012
I would ignore unnamed scources and rumors.
Ty46 - January 19, 2012
Irony!
Maybe it’s dark humor, but I think it’s hilarious that Tyrelle Pryor has a giant forearm tat of a buckeye leaf. I suspect it’s the tattoo that he got in exchange for memorabilia
CheesusKrust - January 19, 2012 via mobile
I have to state my opinion. Have to!
Being a lifelong Buckeye (Is that an obvious bias?), Tressel was an absolute dream to have as a coach. Upstanding community member, extremely intelligent, near flawless game-management — all while bringing the Buckeyes to the mountain top of college football ascendancy. I will be forever grateful for what he did in the name of Buckeye football.
That said, did he cover up his players and their tattoo escapades? Sure did. There are also other inconsistencies with the story, such as Pryor’s alleged affinity for multiple, illegally obtained vehicles. How much Tress knew, who knows? Regardless and without trying to deliberately cast a “lesser of two evils” type of argument, this incident was hardly a big deal when compared to the majority of ridiculous scandals that we’ve seen take place. It wasn’t smart, nor acceptable, in my opinion. However, Tress’ character is truly impeccable. We know Irsay loves high-character type of guys, so that would make sense to as why he’d want Tress to maintain a position with the Colts. And to Tressel’s credit, he was absolutely the fall guy for Gene Smith and possibly others. He essentially stuck up for the player’s he nurtured, which to some, is highly admirable.
I’m not for what he did, but let’s just say that I have immense respect for the man, which I believe is well-deserved.
P.S. Brad is just channeling his inner Michigan fanaticism. Don’t be too hard on him. =)
Stew Blake - January 19, 2012
I think a majority of those “issues” or non-issues anyway. Collegiate sports is basically another form of slavery and I’m tired of it. These universities rake in millions upon millions of dollars on the backs of these collegiate athletes, and the second they decide to pamper themselves with someone, even something as inconsequential as a fucking tattoo, they’re villified and disgraced throughout the country because they dare take money or handouts or any form of gifts for anyone. I mean, they can’t even accept sporting even tickets from professional atheletes without getting in trouble. Granted, the NCAA does at least punish the institutions for “permitting these actions to take place,” but I think in the case of Tressell, he just wanted his kids to have a good time and saw no harm in them treating themselves to something harmless as long as it makes them happy. For that, I think he’s a cool dude.
You and I maybe the only ones, but I wouldn’t have a problem with Tressell staying within the organization. He’s a good football mind and obviously his players respected him, so maybe there’s something there to tap.
But then again, I could just be talking out of my ass again. =P
KingRichard - January 19, 2012
If being a slave
means I get to have my tuition, books, room, board, and tutors all paid for sign me up.
Adam_S - January 19, 2012
Not all collegiate athletes have full ride athletic scholarships.
KingRichard - January 19, 2012
i didn't know
I didn’t know that they were giving out degrees and you might wanna check the rules for room and board…..and anyone can get a tutor…. the athlete still has to go to class and actually do the school work on top of working their asses off in the gym, film room, practice field, and playing field. they have little time for studies because practice to be good and stay on the team takes up much of their time, not to mention, they still have to stay eligible to play. It isn’t given to them like everyone wants to argue, but the colleges sure do benefit from it. and if you were to do the math, you would see that they schools make several times over the money that they put back into the programs, not just into one student, and no, not all students there are on athletic scholarships, so you can’t use that argument for every player there, what about the walk ons who are paying to be there?
BIG JOHN D - January 20, 2012
Stew!
Didn’t know you were a part of the Nation! Are you from OH?!
(206)NightRidah - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Born and raised, Night!
Hour from Columbus and two hours away from Indianapolis. Perfect.
Stew Blake - January 19, 2012
Dayton?
donkeypunch - January 20, 2012
Seriously...deplorable?
After Penn State, one should really attempt to put things in context.
ruascott - January 19, 2012
For the love of god will someone in the Colts organization listen to me for once and hire Brian Billick. PLEASE.
Spags for defensive coordinator would be pretty sweet too I suppose.
KingRichard - January 19, 2012
A Little Over The Top
I think you’re being way too harsh on a coach who didn’t report that his players got free tats. If you use this much venom to describe Tressel, I can’t imagine what you think about Paterno…
Personally, I’d love for Tressel to be our new coach. He’s a proven leader and above all, a winner.
ModestMuse - January 19, 2012
Deplorable???
I guess I miss the bit where he was trading memorabilia for sex or fondling little boys.
Chill man, I know we could do better, but Jim T. as a coach is not exactly The Apocalypse.
soforizo - January 19, 2012
Seriously?
It’s funny listening to people opine about the next head coach. I’ve heard oc’s dc’s with no hc experience and recently fired coaches listed as viable candidates…but mention a college coach with a spectacular record and the colts would be a laughing stock? Get real. The laughing only comes from those focused on his dismissal from osu…not his head coaching. Tell me this….if he IS a laughing stock why would irsay want to keep him around? I don’t know..perhaps because the man can coach or has potential to coach. I disagree with this article completely….you don’t get to be coach of Ohio state and be so awful as to be considered a laughing stock….and I despise Ohio state. Come on. Your source may be accurate but his her account of his abilities is off base to say the least….but who cares we’ll find out soon enough.
nighttrain551 - January 19, 2012 via mobile
trying to be patient!
Not sure all the details about the Ohio state scandal, or Tressels’ part in it. What I do know is the NCAA is very inconsistent in enforcing ethical behavior in college athletics.
Iam not going to trash Tressel or any of the coaches that are brought into interview for the HC position.If I remember correctly there was a fair amount of criticism of Tony Dungy when he was fired by Tampa Bay, for being a failure as a head coach.
I think the thing that concerns me the most, is that Jim Irsay think’s of himself as a “football guy”. Living in Dallas, the Cowboys have an owner who thinks he’s a “football guy”, they haven’t been the same since they lost Jimmy Johnson( a football guy).
dalcoltfan - January 19, 2012
Whew!
I hope when all of this is over, we can go back to being a little boring like we used to be.
GrizzColt - January 19, 2012
"JT WILL NOT BE coach"...
“whew’… (flings sweat off my forehead and opened a ber)
BigBlueDawg - January 19, 2012
lol
I don’t want Tressel as HC, because I see him similar to Caldwell in terms of aggressiveness. But you’re going pretty overboard on the tattoos thing. Jeez.
James Broschat - January 19, 2012
Tressel would be a fine HC..hes got a good background
He protected his players from the Nazis..I mean NCAA, big deal and while rules are rules he still did nothing that bad. I am a big supporter of BBS..but I think we are a bit overboard.
armycolts25 - January 19, 2012
BBS is confused
he thinks Tressel and Sandusky from Penn St are the same guy i think
ACOLLIE - January 19, 2012
report: bbs is full of bs
This report must be from his same sources that told us Caldwell was going to be retained..
Tressell had 25 years of coaching experience. One a championship, has a impressive winning record and had proven to be winner. On EVERY college team there is a player getting paid under the table..grow up and who cares.
67ChevILL - January 21, 2012 via mobile
report: bbs is full of bs
This report must be from his same sources that told us Caldwell was going to be retained..
Tressell had 25 years of coaching experience. One a championship, has a impressive winning record and had proven to be winner. On EVERY college team there is a player getting paid under the table..grow up and who cares.
67ChevILL - January 21, 2012 via mobile
as a lifelong fan of the Maize and Blue
I gotta say his actions dont really match-up with deplorable.
He may have broken a few NCAA rules, but the type of rules he broke was "protecting " some players who has sold some memorobilia and gotten a few freebies at the tat shop.
The most ridiculus part is the fascist NCAA bureaucracies rule that they cant sell stuff that is there own personal property. I dont really get that
dezznutz1001 - January 23, 2012
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