Jim Tressel, former Ohio State football coach, stepping down as Youngstown State president

YOUNGSTOWN — Jim Tressel, who served as Ohio State’s head football coach from 2001-2010, announced Wednesday he will step down as President of Youngstown State University early next year, our news partner 10TV in Columbus reported.

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He will reportedly leave his position on February 1, 2023, the university wrote in an e-mail.

Tressell, 69, said in an e-mail to the school that he plans to work sevens days a week for the next seven months.

“These are extremely challenging times in higher education and in our world as a whole,” he said. “However, the opportunities are many, and together we will continue to make great things happen.”

In the email to the university, Tressel called working at Youngstown State a “blessing and a labor of love.”

Governor Mike DeWine called Tressel a champion in a statement.

“Not only has he championed the cause of YSU,” he said. “He has been a champion for the Mahoning Valley. Fran and I extend our best wishes to Jim and Ellen and their family, as well as thanks for a job well done.”

Tressel first worked at Youngstown State as the head football coach from 1986 until 2000 before taking the Ohio State job in 2001.

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The Buckeyes won several Big Ten titles under Tressel, including the 2002 National Championship but resigned following the 2010 season after a memorabilia-for-cash scandal. Ohio State’s entire 2010 season was vacated because of it.

YSU’s board chair was information on who serve as the next school’s president will be released when it is available.

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