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Posted: **Mon May 30, 2011 9:50 pm**

I am guessing a little worse then whatever usc got.

That seems to be the wishful thinking from all the fans of schools that Tressel dominated for the past decade. I don't say that to be mocking, but as a serious point.

As things stand, the school didn't know about the infractions, and the minute it did, it reported them. That was NOT the case with USC, which is why they got hammered. This is echoed in the letter the NCAA sent OSU. Suggesting anything more at this stage is nothing more than hate fueled speculation.

The focus of this scandal has always been on when Tressel found out about the players getting perks and the players themselves. Remember, EVERYONE keeps saying that this wouldn't even be a story if Tressel had reported it the day he got that email.

And for precedent looking no further than Cam Newton. Auburn wasn't under investigation (in that case), only Cam Newton. And this was despite former players coming out during that investigation admitting that Auburn gave them perks. (I love how people forget these little details.)

Tressel is now gone, but he is still going to get hammered. That will prevent him from ever coaching again.

As for the players, I think their punishment is probably done, except Pryor. It wouldn't stun me to see him booted and banned from the program.

Again, as it stands, I think the school will have to forfeit some losses, probably not be eligible for a bowl game next year, loss a handful of scholarships, etc.

If things get worse, in terms of the school knowing (the big key people keep forgetting about), then I think they face much bigger sanctions.

On a side note, I do find it interesting that since this story has broken the NCAA is now having meetings about increasing benefits to players.

Let's be honest, anyone who thinks this isn't going on at their favorite school is a fool. The big problem for the NCAA is that with communications the way they are now they've got to change the rules now before every school is suspended. You don't think that will happen? Do you know how many people are involved with college athletics? Do you know how many will gladly grab their 15 minutes of fame due to something like this? The longer this goes on with OSU, the more chance of someone else coming out about a different school. Hell, I guarantee that there are former players out there right now from schools across the nation either writing or contemplating books on their experiences.

I think that no matter what happens to OSU or Oregon or Boise State or the school that gets caught up in a scandal tomorrow, the NCAA will have to dramatically alter its way of doing business in the next 10 years.

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2011 1:13 am**

The SI article pretty much just lays out that tressel has been at the very least putting his head in the sand over what his players were doing. The stuff below is just part of the article but one that just made me laugh. Why would a player choose a school because of cleats or little shit? Why even do this? I think this makes him look the worst.

One of Tressel's duties then was to organize and run the Buckeyes' summer camp. Most of the young players who attended it would never play college football, but a few were top prospects whom Ohio State was recruiting. At the end of camp, attendees bought tickets to a raffle with prizes such as cleats and a jersey. According to his fellow assistant, Tressel rigged the raffle so that the elite prospects won -- a potential violation of NCAA rules. Says the former colleague, who asked not to be identified because he still has ties to the Ohio State community, "In the morning he would read the Bible with another coach. Then, in the afternoon, he would go out and cheat kids who had probably saved up money from mowing lawns to buy those raffle tickets. That's Jim Tressel."

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2011 10:12 am**

The article.

A summary if you don't want to read it all.

Despite the new allegations (and there's really nothing stunning in the new allegations, it's just more of the same), it's still all about Tressel.

What a way to go.

Bye bye coaching, bye bye AD job, bye bye personal appearances, bye bye commentating, etc.

Oh, and FYI, Tressel wasn't the big recruiter for OSU. The guy taking the interim job, he's the guy who gets the kids to the school. (The best recruiters are typically an assistant, not the head coach.)

Edited By Leisher on 1306851206

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2011 10:32 am**

I don't think you can say "bye bye commentating," cuz let's face it - you have to say something "racist" to be banned from that.

But yeah, Tressel clearly knew something, and didn't say anything.

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2011 10:40 am**

I don't think you can say "bye bye commentating," cuz let's face it - you have to say something "racist" to be banned from that.

I originally had "(I assume)" behind the commentating comment, but deleted it during an edit.

You're right, of course. However, I don't think a commentating job will be coming anytime soon unless he completely opens up about his mistakes.

That's pretty much the only move he has left to salvage credibility.

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2011 9:03 pm**

Marv Albert got his job back. So did Pat O'Brien.

Jimmy the Greek should've held back for another two decades and I bet he would've been in the clear. You can do a lot of despicable shit and still get a commentating job.

Edited By Malcolm on 1306890239

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2011 9:38 pm**

How much longer does the A.D. hold on to his job. He has to be on his way out. Maybe he stays around till the punishment is handed down and then he is fired.

Plus if this is going to spill over into the basketball team the president might be in some trouble also.

Posted: **Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:19 am**

Everywhere...

Marv Albert got his job back. So did Pat O'Brien.

Jimmy the Greek should've held back for another two decades and I bet he would've been in the clear. You can do a lot of despicable shit and still get a commentating job.

Excellent point.

How much longer does the A.D. hold on to his job. He has to be on his way out. Maybe he stays around till the punishment is handed down and then he is fired.

Plus if this is going to spill over into the basketball team the president might be in some trouble also.

The rumor mill has all scenarios covered. It'll all depend on what else comes out. If anything else is there to come out.

These two made a huge mistake backing Tressel once he admitted knowing what was going on.

Posted: **Sun Jun 05, 2011 4:21 pm**

The A.D. is gone at this point. He is just as guilty as tressel. On top of that he lead a phony investigation and the cover. usc let their A.D. hang around for some time to but in the end he had to go.

Posted: **Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:43 pm**

The A.D. is gone at this point. He is just as guilty as tressel. On top of that he lead a phony investigation and the cover.

That's a pretty strong statement. You're saying that Gene Smith:
-Knew about the rules infractions.
-Knew Tressel knew about the rules infractions.
-Reported neither.
-Held a bogus investigation that resulted in OSU self-reporting (seriously, explain that).
-And since Tressel's misdeed has come to light, he's green lit two more investigations. One that led to Tressel being given the resign or be fired option.

So...proof?

And I'm not arguing whether he should or will get fired. I'm simply saying that your statement is unfounded and based more on speculation/wishful thinking than fact.

By the way, this is interesting.

If he wins, that's a game changer.

Edited By Leisher on 1307325156

Posted: **Sun Jun 05, 2011 11:04 pm**

Leisher wrote:
The A.D. is gone at this point. He is just as guilty as tressel. On top of that he lead a phony investigation and the cover.
That's a pretty strong statement. You're saying that Gene Smith:
-Knew about the rules infractions.
-Knew Tressel knew about the rules infractions.
-Reported neither.
-Held a bogus investigation that resulted in OSU self-reporting (seriously, explain that).
-And since Tressel's misdeed has come to light, he's green lit two more investigations. One that led to Tressel being given the resign or be fired option.

So...proof?

And I'm not arguing whether he should or will get fired. I'm simply saying that your statement is unfounded and based more on speculation/wishful thinking than fact.

I will rephrase it. Smith is either a liar or a total fucking idiot. Either ones mean he should be fired from his position.

He didn't know about the infractions? Seeing as how everyone else saw the infractions driving around town and knew about them I find it hard believe he didn't and if he didn't then again he should be losing his job.

As far as the investigation, how can every blogger and newspapers in Columbus and the surrounding area be aware of all the cars and tattoos and yet the osu internal investigation turns up nothing? One investigation turns up 8 years of illegal benefits and the A.D.s investigation discovers that this was just an isolated incident involving just 5 players(even though several others had already been caught in previous years breaking rules) and they found nothing else besides what had been reported by others. I will let the ncaa and school decide which it is but he either headed up a bogus investigation that wouldn't find any more problems or he is an idiot. Either way he should lose his job.

Yeah he started two more investigation once the SI article had been leaked and it was proven that his own investigation was a total crock of shit. Yeah he back tressel until the evidence he ignored/missed was so overwhelming and then he fired the coach. Through this whole process he has done nothing more than what he felt he absolutely had to. Probably his job but what can also lead to the ncaa firing him with their sanction threats. Sure they are participating in a joint investigation with the ncaa but what other choice do they have? Say no and get an even bigger punishment?

I guess my statements are unfounded because I find it hard to believe the the A.D. of a school wouldn't have spent some time around the practice field or campus and seen one of pryors 8 cars. It isn't like pryor was hiding it. He obviously doesn't give a damn about osu because all he has done since he has been there is flaunt his rule breaking so unless you didn't want to know what was going on it would have been very hard not to see it. There was the whole corvette being loaned to him and tests drives back home to Pennsylvania long before the tattoo story came out yet the A.D. didn't see any problems other than that one isolated incident.

Posted: **Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:46 am**

Smith is either a liar or a total fucking idiot.

I think there's a bit of both at play here, but not in such extreme terms as you put them.

All ADs lie. That's their job. They're politicians for the school.

Catt pointed out how the UNC basketball players drive nice cars. When Michigan self-reported its program, they didn't reveal everything (trust me, not everything about the Fab Five came out). Recruiting violations happen all over the country as multiple former players have been talking about this entire past year.

However, I also think Gene Smith was an idiot in trying to protect Tressel. Once they found out he knew something and didn't report it, they should have asked him to resign.

Hindsight is 20/20, and I don't think hesitating to fire one of the winningest coaches in history makes you a "fucking idiot".

As far as the investigation, how can every blogger and newspapers in Columbus and the surrounding area be aware of all the cars and tattoos and yet the osu internal investigation turns up nothing? One investigation turns up 8 years of illegal benefits and the A.D.s investigation discovers that this was just an isolated incident involving just 5 players(even though several others had already been caught in previous years breaking rules) and they found nothing else besides what had been reported by others. I will let the ncaa and school decide which it is but he either headed up a bogus investigation that wouldn't find any more problems or he is an idiot. Either way he should lose his job.

You didn't hear the actual facts then. What really happened is that they hired former cops, now PIs, to do the investigation. They interviewed players and people at the tattoo shop. The story they got it what they filed. Only later when they found the Tressel emails and shit started hitting the fan did people start telling more of the truth.

Ok, I just made that paragraph up, except for OSU finding the emails. They dug that dirt up on Jim after finding out that such emails might exist. However, my point is that we have no idea what the scope of the investigation was or any details about it. OSU does, and so does the NCAA.

And again, let me point out that I'm not defending the man. I honestly agree with you and think he should be fired. More so for sitting by and watching OSU get fucked with one of the toughest brackets in years during March Madness (he's on the selection committee), but also because he's forever stained by this as well.

I'd also like to see G. Gordon Gee gone, but I don't think it'd be fair to say only for this situation. This asshole wouldn't fire Cooper until 13 years of losing big games had passed. Plus, his name is stupid.

Anyway, to continue talking this topic is pointless. Everything, EVERYTHING, is pure speculation at this point, and the vast majority of it is fueled by folks who want the absolute worst outcome for Ohio State because it'll give their school a better shot at winning, or because their pathetic egos get a boost from seeing a big boy fall.

Sadly, most of the people screaming about the Ohio State thing are too stupid to understand that this sort of treatment for athletes occurs on every single college campus in the nation. Whether players are getting paid, are being loaned cars, are working bogus jobs to make their pay "legit", are getting laid on recruiting visits, etc. It all happens.

It just happens to be OSU's turn to get busted for it.

And is anyone else stunned that Pryor appears to be staying in school? Insane. His teammates barely tolerated him before and now they blame him for Tressel's resignation, he's banned for the first 5 games, and he's under investigation for the cars. Why stick around? I wonder if it's because of the NFL's labor situation?

Posted: **Mon Jun 06, 2011 1:52 pm**

So you just agree with me though. No A.D. is going to put everything forward about their school if their is an issues. alabama and oregon aren't going to do it in a few years when they get caught and no one else will but that does mean that they are not lying. They feel that part of their job is lying. So of course gene smith is lying unless he is the biggest fucking idiot in the world and really was not aware of anything but both should lead to him losing his job.

I think it comes down to how would you characterize the first investigation that found only the 5 players guilty and turned up no other information and proved that osu did not have a systemic problem with its football team?

Did smith engage in a very intense and hard hitting investigation and was just real unlucky and had players/people stonewalling him at every turn because of their loyalty to the school and team? So despite his best efforts and total desire to clean everything up the rest of the system was just too corrupt for one man to get anything done?

Posted: **Mon Jun 06, 2011 2:08 pm**

As for the pryor situation I have no idea. I think that he has such a high opinion of himself that I am not even sure if he realizes that fans/players are pissed at him. At this point he can go back to osu and be hated or go to the nfl and get no money and be turned into a TE.

My guess would be that he thinks he is going to walk onto the field in nebraska and light it up and the fans will love him again and then he will be one of the top 3 QBs taken in the next draft.

I don't know why osu hasn't shown him the door yet? What are they really holding onto to? How many games has he been that important in? They have always been a defense and run kind of team where the QB is only somewhat important. With this investigation depending on how long it takes he is going to have to get more for these cars and seeing how pryor has handled everything so far I doubt that is the only thing he has done.

Edited By WSGrundy on 1307383853

Posted: **Mon Jun 06, 2011 2:13 pm**

I agree that he probably needs to be fired, but I am not willing to agree to your original statement before you rephrased it.

There is always going to be head turning when it comes to athletes. That's a fact. That fact happens every day in grade schools, high schools, colleges, and even the pros.

Did smith engage in a very intense and hard hitting investigation and was just real unlucky and had players/people stonewalling him at every turn because of their loyalty to the school and team? So despite his best efforts and total desire to clean everything up the rest of the system was just too corrupt for one man to get anything done?

IF he was getting stonewalled, and let's be honest, it wouldn't be that hard to get stonewalled here, then he might get to save his job. Hell, if proven it might spare OSU from ANY major penalties, but not Tressel or the players.

Quite honestly, it might be a case of them simply looking at the emails Tressel got, taking Tressel's word for it, and maybe even contacting the person who contacted Tressel, who may not have known about anyone else. They really wouldn't have suspicion to look further or possibly even access if the main guy was in jail?

Anyway, my point is that we don't know all the facts. To speculate that he intentionally covered things up or is a complete moron is just that: speculation.

We'll find out later if he was just unlucky or if he fucked up, beyond protecting Tressel for too long...

Posted: **Mon Jun 06, 2011 2:46 pm**

IF he was getting stonewalled, and let's be honest, it wouldn't be that hard to get stonewalled here, then he might get to save his job.

But why would players/friends/family/fans not talk to the A.D. but then just run their mouth and open up about everything to some stranger who shows up in town writing an article about the school? So the stonewalling doesn't seem all that believable.

They really wouldn't have suspicion to look further or possibly even access if the main guy was in jail?

Except for the players who had already been busted or accursed of cheating previous to this during tressels career.

Anyway, my point is that we don't know all the facts. To speculate that he intentionally covered things up or is a complete moron is just that: speculation.

Yes were are just guess at what will happen and what was done right now and your argument that he is clean might prove to be correct but if I am laying money down I am going all in on the lying/cover up/idiot bet.

What is the bigger reach? That he under reported, lied, covered up info or that he really tried hard to clean everything up and he was just real unlucky and despite his best efforts he couldn't dig up any other info even thought several others could.

Edited By WSGrundy on 1307386105

Posted: **Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:51 am**

Interesting article written by a player not involved.

But why would players/friends/family/fans not talk to the A.D. but then just run their mouth and open up about everything to some stranger who shows up in town writing an article about the school? So the stonewalling doesn't seem all that believable.

The school has almost zero leverage. It's a school. They don't have much ability to get people to talk who don't want to talk, especially since there are no cameras...

As for people who talked to the SI guy, are you aware that one week removed from the article and there are already two lawsuits from players' parents (players can't sue) claiming the allegations against their kids are false? I read one of the cases and it seems pretty strong. The article alleges that the player sold trophies and team awards, but the problem is his dad has them ALL.

Take a camera out to the mall in your area, and just ask random people questions about a store robbery that happened an hour prior (NOTE: Obviously, it didn't happen.), and you will get people claiming to have seen it happen. I worked in the MSM, and that was a well known fact: If a reporter looks long enough and you'll find someone to tell you exactly what you want to hear, but it doesn't make it true.

Point of all that? People lie to the media. A lot. Not saying this whole situation is bogus, just saying that it's a lot easier for a media guy to get people talking than it is for a school.

As for that SI article, let's just say that the general opinion in the MSM is that it landed with a fizzle after a lot of hype.

Except for the players who had already been busted or accursed of cheating previous to this during Tressel's career.

Who?
-The Youngstown State stuff never latched onto Tressel or he never would have been hired.
-Clarrett left on his own and hired an agent. He never went into any allegations of violations except skipping classes.
-The thing about Holmes was something academic too, which he denied.
-Some recruit during the Cam thing said he went to a party where there were girls.

Point being is that while one could argue there was smoke, it wasn't more than what other schools see over the same amount of time. Nothing was put into the NCAA's hands, so there was no precedent.

I'd like to note here again that during the Cam Newton investigation former Auburn players, recent ones, came out publicly and told stories of how they got paid to play and current Auburn assistant coaches were involved. So if the NCAA doesn't need to dig into those allegations, why do we place a much harsher expectation onto OSU's investigation?

Yes were are just guess at what will happen and what was done right now and your argument that he is clean might prove to be correct but if I am laying money down I am going all in on the lying/cover up/idiot bet.

What is the bigger reach? That he under reported, lied, covered up info or that he really tried hard to clean everything up and he was just real unlucky and despite his best efforts he couldn't dig up any other info even thought several others could.

Exactly! Speculation, and quite honestly, I'm betting some wishful thinking. Who is your team?

Personally, I am pretty apathetic about Gene and G. Gordon Gee. If they go, they go. If they stay, they stay. However, I can assure you that like USC fans and fans of all other schools who are getting investigated by the NCAA and getting hit with sanctions, it pisses me off to no end to see the double standard in judgment and investigation methods when it comes to SEC schools and non-SEC schools.

As it stands, I'll be surprised if the school gets off with nothing or if they get the same as USC or worse. I think it'd be somewhere in the middle.

Meanwhile, Cam Newton is on his way to the pros and has a Heisman and a national title.

Posted: **Tue Jun 07, 2011 2:30 pm**

Some wishful thinking sure. I would love to see Texas get nailed and Alambama, Florida, and Oregone because they aren't all on the up an up but you obviously see no guilt throughout tressels run so there isn't much to discuss anymore.

I don't see much difference between that usc and osu are accused of doing. For each of them the cover up is the problem but I am sure with the clout the Big 10 has it will lead to a reduction in the penalties they get.

Edited By WSGrundy on 1307471491

Posted: **Tue Jun 07, 2011 3:10 pm**

but you obviously see no guilt throughout tressels run so there isn't much to discuss anymore.

And you're either skimming or letting that wishful thinking blind you.

I've actually been wondering why you've been arguing this point so much. There is NOTHING I'm saying that is absolutely contrary to what you're saying, yet somehow you think that means I think nothing went on and everyone is innocent?

You seem to be so upset and/or hopeful for OSU's demise that you're not even remotely paying attention to what I'm saying and instead you keep going on and on about Tressel's guilt, and Gene Smith's guilt or ignorance, and a big cover up, and they all knew all along, etc.

And that's my only point: You can't jump to conclusions about who knew what and who did what. I mean really, that's the wrong stance to take? Perhaps you think "Innocent until proven guilty" is horseshit as well? Maybe we should just take everyone involved out to a lake, and if they float they're witches (and thus guilty)?

And again, I'm NOT defending Tressel. I'm NOT defending the players. I'm not even suggesting that Gene Smith or G. Gordon Gee are innocent. I'm simply saying that we should give them due process.

You've already convicted them and want to move ahead to sentencing.

I don't see much difference between that usc and osu are accused of doing.

I've heard it said that USC was far more involved in the Bush situation. Remember, a coach lost his job over it. Not because like Tressel he got an email that he hid for months, but he was more actively involved.

And FYI, I know people, both fans and haters, who are claiming OSU will get nothing to OSU will get hit worse than USC (because the NCAA has zero credibility and wants to establish some by hammering OSU). I choose to think and hope it'll be somewhere in the middle of that.

Some wishful thinking sure. I would love to see Texas get nailed and Alambama, Florida, and Oregone because they aren't all on the up an up

Again let me ask, who do you root for?

Posted: **Tue Jun 07, 2011 7:17 pm**

Pryor is out.