October 25, 2006
Tressel misses chance to say no to NFL
When you're the "hot" coach, everyone wants to speculate on when you are leaving for the pros. Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weiss has endured the question since... well, really since setting foot in South Bend - ditto for Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and USC's Pete Carroll. But each of these coaches have a fairly consistent stock answer: "Thanks, but no thanks."
Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel is getting some buzz about the Cleveland Browns job and got the question this week, but he missed an opportunity to say "no".
Without definitely stating that he’s not going anywhere, Tressel, in his style, brushed off the pro possibilities during his weekly news conference.“I’ve not spent one day playing in the NFL or coaching in the NFL, and I’ve got my hands full doing what I’m doing, so that’s my reaction,” Tressel said.
Asked if he could be enticed by big money and a long-term contract, Tressel said, “I’ve got money and I’ve got a contract.”
In May, Tressel agreed to a new seven-year deal that averages $2.45 million per season.
Asked if he could imagine anything that would lead him to the NFL, Tressel said, “Don’t know. Can’t think of a thing.”
On multiple questions, Tressel didn't say "no." In fact, he almost went out of his way not to say no. So, does that mean "maybe"... or even "yes"???
Comments:
Keith Dennison said:
posted on October 25, 2006 1:13 PM — 208.108.120.232 — link — abuse?
I have one thing to say. Tressel is not going anywhere. He loves his buckeyes.
Tom Blogical said:
posted on October 25, 2006 1:18 PM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse?
On multiple questions, "The Senator" didn't say anything near "yes" either. What you have to understand, is there are a lot of Cleveland Browns fans that are Ohio State fans as well. He will answer in the most diplomatic fashion on these types of questions so as not to irritate OSU, the fan base, or potiential bosses in the NFL. As a matter of fact, he's nicknamed "The Senator" because he answers *every* question this way.
K Hat said:
posted on October 25, 2006 3:19 PM — 4.244.211.115 — link — abuse?
Like many college coaches at a successful program, he won't leave Ohio State (which he has on cruse control) to clean up the Browns mess, deal with free agents, a salary cap, and have the media pressure of "doing here what you did at Ohio State".
posted on October 25, 2006 3:33 PM — 64.3.228.130 — link — abuse?John Ludwig said:
There is a reason they call him Senator Tressel. The guy is not going to ever express an opinion publicly that might offend anyone. Why would he trade being the virtual emperor of Columbus for the revolving doors of the NFL/
volstrike3 said:
posted on October 25, 2006 4:25 PM — 216.103.178.34 — link — abuse?
I do not understand why any coach from a major school would leave for the NFL. You are making big money in college and if you are good, you can stay at a school forever. If you go to the NFL and struggle like most coaches do, you will be out of work in two or three years.
In the NFL, coaching matters much less than it does in college.
goodolnuma5 said:
posted on October 25, 2006 8:11 PM — 24.208.149.244 — link — abuse?
This dude is better than Clinton. You cant pin him down on what he had for dinner last night.
James C. said:
posted on October 26, 2006 3:26 PM — 162.93.199.1 — link — abuse?
The NFL is littered with coaches who failed to make the jump from college to the NFL. Tressel already will earn between 2.3 and 2.6 million over the next 7 seasons. What's Tressel going to do with the extra 1-2 million a year? Buy hand-knitted cashmere sweater vests, instead of machine-knitted wool ones? Buy one extra vacation home per year? Eat his meals using disposable Wedgewood china? Light his cigars with $100 bills?
Read the "influences" section from coachtressel.com. Here is the relevant text:
Jim Tressel has been around college football his entire life. Before his sixth birthday, Jim's father, Lee, took over as head coach at his alma mater, Baldwin-Wallace.
Being that close to a program, both figuratively and literally, made quite an impression on Jim Tressel. "I was fortunate to grow up next to the stadium (in Berea), and got to watch my father work my entire lifetime, and to play for him as well", recalled the Ohio State coach. "It's one thing to have it in your backyard, but I was exposed to his coaching in the locker-room as well. I don't know how many total years I was there to learn from him, but it would be at least 10 to 15."
The education process continued at Miami University where Tressel was exposed (directly and indirectly) to the philosophies of two Big Ten coaching legends. Recalling his days in Oxford, Tressel was impressed with his boss. "I learned a lot from Tom Reed. He was a disciple of Bo Schembechler, having played for him at Miami, and coached under him at Michigan."
Schembechler, of course, played under Woody Hayes at Miami, and later was an assistant in Hayes' program at Ohio State. According to Tressel, "it was my first glance at the Woody Hayes style of management."Thus, Tressel's greatest influences have been his father (a college coach), and two of the greatest college football coaches of all time (indirectly). Now, Tressel has a chance to be a worthy successor to Woody Hayes, or the next Butch Davis. Which one do you think he'll choose to be? And how does his father's early death at age 56 from lung cancer factor into his decision? I believe it makes Jim Tressel's "price" a lot higher than any NFL team could afford.
Colin McGraw said:
posted on October 26, 2006 8:39 PM — 68.142.34.27 — link — abuse?
There is no way Tressel can leave the buckeyes. I mean come on. He is leading the number 1 team in College. Isn't that good enough? Is it really worth it to go to the Browns? It's up to you Tressel, but I hope you know what you're doing.
Tom Blogical said:
posted on October 27, 2006 8:37 AM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse?
I found this at the Columbus Dispatch website this morning:
'On his weekly radio show yesterday, Tressel seemed to close the door on speculation he might consider leaving for the Cleveland Browns, should a opening occur at season’s end.
After one caller implored him not to go, he said: "There’s nobody here other than a couple of our players that’s going to be heading to the Browns." '
Tom Blogical said:
posted on October 27, 2006 9:44 AM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse?
caneguy:
Taking the word of a convicted criminal on Tressel's program?
Nice try attempting to divert attention from the sad state of Miami's program. I smell sour grapes.
Tom Blogical said:
posted on October 27, 2006 12:08 PM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse?
caneguy:
OK, that was funny until the "nose is cold" comment. Not going into that weird fantasy; I don't swing that way! LOL!
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James C. said:
posted on October 25, 2006 12:57 PM — 162.93.249.2 — link — abuse?No way Tressel goes to the NFL. tOSU Head Coach position is his dream job.