Here is some Web reaction to Jim Tressel’s firing from Buckeye fans across Ohio as it appeared in some Ohio newspapers:
From David Berman of the Chillicothe, Ohio, Gazette:
"I think he's a good man and a good coach, but he made a mistake," said Jack Thompson, treasurer of the OSU Alumni Club of Ross County.
Jerry Pearson, the club's scholarship chairman, said Tressel's decision was in the best interest of the program, even if it means "we're in for a down time in OSU football."
"They've got to close this chapter and move on with it," Pearson said.
"I think in the long-term, they'll recover," Thompson said.
Club secretary Tammy Laughlin said her Ohio State is bigger than one person, and she will support the university regardless of who's atop the football program.
"Even though it's hard to see (Tressel) go and sit in the stands not knowing what the team is going to look like, this is the best thing that could have been done to save the university," Laughlin said. "He can sacrifice himself for the good of the university. By staying, he would have cast a huge shadow over the program."
From Seth Roy of the Newark, Ohio, Advocate:
"Tressel resigning is very disappointing because he was an icon of the program," said Larry Kendall, of Newark, upon hearing the news during Newark's Memorial Day service. "(But) he did what was best for the program."
Opinions about how Tressel and the university have handled the NCAA's investigation into players receiving improper benefits are varied, as are thoughts on the coach's legacy at OSU.
"I've kind of lost some respect for the program," said Tim Dierks, a 2007 Licking Valley graduate and current Central Ohio Technical College student. "I've always been an OSU fan since I was little."
Jeff Mortenson, who grew up in Newark but now lives in Mississippi, said he's afraid of the impact any NCAA-imposed penalties could have on the program during the next few years.
"We've seen how really good teams like USC have struggled since they had sanctions," he said. "I didn't want (the resignation) to happen, but it was kind of one of those things where, had he not stepped down, the NCAA would have come down more harshly."
Mortenson said the past 10 years Tressel has been at OSU have been the best he can remember as a Buckeye fan, and he doesn't think the current scandal will take away from that success.
"I'm pretty sure Tressel's had the best record as any coach we've had since I've been alive," he said. "And he beats Michigan."
From Sam Blackburn of the Zanesville, Ohio, Times Recorder:
Aaron Spragg covered OSU football regularly during his time as sports director at WHIZ-TV in the mid-to-late 2000s, where he regularly attended Tressel's postgame and weekly news conferences.
He also laid blame on the players -- but also scorned Tressel for letting down a fanbase he represented.
"This is an example of poor decisions that led to the end of his career," Spragg said. "The kids made poor decisions. I still think Tressel has great moral character and probably taught the kids more about life than any other coach. Those kids were well-equipped to make good decisions. When they didn't and they cashed in, that led to everyone paying the price.
"Just because of the damage they have caused at OSU, and the reputation of a guy they all probably looked up to, they ultimately cost him his job. I hope they all feel bad about what has happened."
From David Berman of the Chillicothe, Ohio, Gazette:
"I think he's a good man and a good coach, but he made a mistake," said Jack Thompson, treasurer of the OSU Alumni Club of Ross County.
Jerry Pearson, the club's scholarship chairman, said Tressel's decision was in the best interest of the program, even if it means "we're in for a down time in OSU football."
"They've got to close this chapter and move on with it," Pearson said.
"I think in the long-term, they'll recover," Thompson said.
Club secretary Tammy Laughlin said her Ohio State is bigger than one person, and she will support the university regardless of who's atop the football program.
"Even though it's hard to see (Tressel) go and sit in the stands not knowing what the team is going to look like, this is the best thing that could have been done to save the university," Laughlin said. "He can sacrifice himself for the good of the university. By staying, he would have cast a huge shadow over the program."
From Seth Roy of the Newark, Ohio, Advocate:
"Tressel resigning is very disappointing because he was an icon of the program," said Larry Kendall, of Newark, upon hearing the news during Newark's Memorial Day service. "(But) he did what was best for the program."
Opinions about how Tressel and the university have handled the NCAA's investigation into players receiving improper benefits are varied, as are thoughts on the coach's legacy at OSU.
"I've kind of lost some respect for the program," said Tim Dierks, a 2007 Licking Valley graduate and current Central Ohio Technical College student. "I've always been an OSU fan since I was little."
Jeff Mortenson, who grew up in Newark but now lives in Mississippi, said he's afraid of the impact any NCAA-imposed penalties could have on the program during the next few years.
"We've seen how really good teams like USC have struggled since they had sanctions," he said. "I didn't want (the resignation) to happen, but it was kind of one of those things where, had he not stepped down, the NCAA would have come down more harshly."
Mortenson said the past 10 years Tressel has been at OSU have been the best he can remember as a Buckeye fan, and he doesn't think the current scandal will take away from that success.
From Sam Blackburn of the Zanesville, Ohio, Times Recorder:
Aaron Spragg covered OSU football regularly during his time as sports director at WHIZ-TV in the mid-to-late 2000s, where he regularly attended Tressel's postgame and weekly news conferences.
He also laid blame on the players -- but also scorned Tressel for letting down a fanbase he represented.
"This is an example of poor decisions that led to the end of his career," Spragg said. "The kids made poor decisions. I still think Tressel has great moral character and probably taught the kids more about life than any other coach. Those kids were well-equipped to make good decisions. When they didn't and they cashed in, that led to everyone paying the price.
"Just because of the damage they have caused at OSU, and the reputation of a guy they all probably looked up to, they ultimately cost him his job. I hope they all feel bad about what has happened."
