NCAA Allegations Say Ohio State Coach Tressel Failed to Report Violations

Ohio State today received a notice of allegations from the NCAA which indicated Buckeyes football coach Jim Tressel failed to tell the organization of possible infractions due to players cashing in on autographs, championship rings and apparel with a Columbus tattoo parlor.

Tressel “failed to deport himself in accordance with the honesty and integrity normally associated with the conduct and administration of intercollegiate athletics,” alleged the NCAA in a letter that is also posted on the university’s website.

Ohio State has until June 5 to answer to the allegations and the infractions committee will meet Aug. 12.

The players who were involved: Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, Solomon Thomas and Jordan Whiting, reportedly due not face further punishment above the five-game bans they were already hit with.

Ohio State reported the violations last year, then issued a voluntary $250,000 fine and suspended Tressel for two games next season when it learned he had withheld information. He later requested that his suspension be extended to five games.

tressel-spring-gameTressel admitted that he was alerted to what his players were doing in April 2010 but did not tell university officials until they asked him about it in January, prompting his suspension.

The NCAA also indicated it considered this a potential second violation, after the former quarterback Troy Smith was found to have received $500 from a booster in 2005, which could lead to stiffer penalties, including a postseason ban and loss of scholarships.

“The university will continue to work cooperatively with the NCAA during the response phase to the NCAA that now begins, and will have no further comment until the process is completed,” university officials said in a statement.

Ohio State was asked to supply copies of the emails Tressel received in April 2010 about the players actions, including replies and forwarded messages. Tressel has said he forwarded them to a mentor of the one of the players and contacted an FBI agent because he was concerned for his players safety.

It was a letter from the Department of Justice to Ohio State last December that alerted the university to the situation.

The NCAA could accept Ohio State’s suggestion of sanctions — the five-game suspension and the fine — or could levy much more severe penalties. Since the NCAA says that Tressel knowingly used ineligible players, it would seem probable that the 2010 regular season would be vacated — ending the Buckeyes’ run of Big Ten titles at six in a row. The NCAA could also come down hard on Tressel, compelling Ohio State to add to Tressel’s suspension or issue sanctions leading to the school firing him.

View the story from the Dispatch here

See the notice of allegations here