Jim Tressel Resigns

Jim Tressel compiled a 106-22 record in 10 seasons as the head football coach at Ohio State.  His impressive tenure was undone by tattoo-gate.

Jim Tressel was aware that some of his players received improper benefits from a local tattoo-parlor owner in exchange for memorabilia.  The problem is that Jim Tressel withheld the information from his athletic director, university president, compliance and legal departments and the NCAA.

People often say that the cover-up is worse than the crime.  In this case, the cover-up was part of the crime.  Withholding information and lying to the NCAA about his supposed lack of knowledge regarding this situation cost Tressel his job.

Tressel released the following statement: "After meeting with university officials, we agreed that it is in the best interest of Ohio State that I resign as head football coach. The appreciation that [wife] Ellen and I have for the Buckeye Nation is immeasurable."

Tressel turned a molehill into a mountain.  An email paper trail led the NCAA right to Tressel.  Instead of alerting the NCAA about his star quarterback's involvement in tattoo-gate, he forwarded the message to Terrelle Pryor's mentor and lied to the NCAA.  The cover-up was the biggest aspect of this crime.