Jim Tressel, now serving as Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor and former head coach of the Ohio State football program, has been honored with induction into the Ohio Stadium Ring of Honor. The recognition ceremony took place during the Buckeyes’ season-opening matchup against Ball State, where his commemorative plaque was unveiled on the C-Deck of the stadium.
Tressel joins an exclusive group as only the third coach to receive this distinction at Ohio Stadium. The legendary Paul Brown and Woody Hayes are the only other coaches to be similarly honored. This marks the first addition to the Ring of Honor in more than a decade, with Troy Smith, a Heisman Trophy winner who played quarterback under Tressel, being the previous honoree in 2014.
During his tenure from 2001 to 2010, Tressel established himself as one of the program’s most successful leaders. He captured a national championship in 2002 and won six Big Ten titles while compiling an impressive 9-1 record against Michigan. His teams consistently reached bowl games every season and made two additional appearances in BCS National Championship games.
Beyond on-field success, Tressel’s recruiting and player development were exceptional. He coached 67 players who went on to play in the NFL, including 14 first-round draft picks. At the ceremony, Tressel expressed his gratitude to the crowd, stating his daily appreciation for being a Buckeye.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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