Jim Tressel should be FIRED! In an age where major athletic programs are displaying a respectful amount of integrity by self-reporting known violations, Coach Tressel disrespected his team, the university, and his profession. I understand there are "extenuating" circumstances concerning breaches of confidentiality about the situation and ongoing investigations. The NCAA is a very large and POWERFUL organization. At very least Coach Tressel should have informed them of possible violations within his program, that due to possible breaches of legal confidentiality he can not disclose in full detail. Or, when the cat was out of the bag and his players were going down in flames...he should have spoken up then!!
Coach Tressel now disgusts me. My view of this whole thing looks like this:
-Players get investigated for improper conduct regarding their equipment for profit or gain. Tressel denied knowledge
-Players found guilty of that improper conduct. Tressel has NCAA delay punishment till 2011 season - thus NOT interrupting a potential National Championship run. Still he says nothing of his knowledge.
-Email surfaces indicating Tressel had knowledge up to 8 months prior to the time he admitted to being aware. NCAA and Ohio State conduct investigations confirming the information - OSU institutes a 2 game suspension for the coach to begin the 2011 season. NCAA is still ongoing.
- Coach Tressel requests and is granted a 5 game suspension as a gesture of unity with his punished players (also serving 5 games). WHAT??!!! Unity?! Where were you when the investigation started?! Trying to win a National Championship...that's where!!! Putting your career and status ahead of a few young kids!!
Ohio State has had a tumultuous program to say the least during Coach Tressel's tenure. I am blown away that with a consistent record of shady dealings and a demonstrated willingness to cover it up, the Ohio State University has not parted ways with Coach Tressel.
Bruce Pearl enters this years Mens NCAA March Madness not knowing if he will ever be wearing that his signature bright orange blazers and ties. After honorably serving an 8 game SEC suspension earlier this year, his future is incredibly uncertain, with most believing his next loss will be his last game.
Coach Pearl was investigated for improper recruiting conduct including excessive contact with recruits and hosting recruits in his own home. Upon the initial investigation Coach Pearl misled NCAA investigators regarding the legitimacy of photos taken of him with a Vols prospect. Since then Pearl has come very clean and has been a VERY verbal proponent of integrity and "doing the right thing". As I hold coaches to a very high standard, Coach Pearl also has disrespected his profession by violating its' rules, and that is simply inexcusable.
I do however respect the actions of Coach Pearl since he was confirmed of wrong doing. He has been very forthcoming about EVERYTHING! He has been an example to his players, the athletic department (which is still under investigation for its other programs), and the University as he deals with his punishment and uncertainty with candid professionalism.
In contrast to Tressel (who is keeping his job), Coach Pearl has stood by his program and his players in a way that Tressel needs to learn from. I think the biggest thing people seem to forget about these coaches, is they are coaching KIDS. Yes, these coaches work with top-tier programs and are coaching kids that have a good shot at lucrative professional contracts, but they are still KIDS!! The importance of a good education is to these kids is crucial. Even if they only play one year in college, that Coach is potentially the single most influential person in their lives, and will can give them an "education" for their life that the classroom can't.
