Meandering through the maize (and blue): Jim Tressel's run in Columbus nearing an end?
At the risk of being too blunt, Jim Tressel has pretty much owned Michigan since coming into the Big Ten in 2001. He's 7-1 against the Wolverines with five straight wins and a run of conference titles.
Now comes speculation from the Columbus Dispatch's Ken Gordon that Tressel may not be a lifer at Ohio State. That's good news for the folks at Schembechler Hall, even if I don't totally buy it.
Tressel's 56, a coaching lifer, and he just restructured a contract that runs through the 2012 season. Like Gordon, I don't see Tressel pulling a Joe Pa, but I don't see him walking away when things are this good, either.
Here's what else is catching my eye this morning:
• Pete Carroll is the highest-paid coach in America at $4.4 million. Tressel tops the Big Ten at $3.5 million, while Rich Rod is third in conference and tied for 12th overall at $2.5 mil, or just over 800 large per victory. Here's the entire list courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel.
• Michigan State running back Glenn Winston will be out of the clink soon after serving 180 days for his role in an off-campus fight. Can't wait to hear the welcome opposing fans have in store for him this year.
• Here's the audio of Hawaii coach Greg McMackin slurring a dance some Notre Dame football players did at WAC media day. McMackin later apologized.
My question is, who were the reporters laughing at McMackin's comments one minute then grilling him the next? Can't have it both ways, fellas.
• Rivals.com recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg says Michigan fans need to have "time and patience" while Rich Rodriguez gets his players in place. Also within the piece, Newberg says Minnesota is the team to beat for No. 1 offensive line prospect Seantrel Henderson.
• Finally, a quick thought on Michigan's decision to schedule UConn for the 2010 opener. Ehh. A game against Virginia, who's also looking for 2010 opener, would have been much more appealing. On the bright side, though, at least it's not Duke, who the Wizard of Odds reminds us might just be the worst program of all time.
Comments
NoBowl4Blue
Sat, Aug 1, 2009 : 5:47 a.m.
No way the vest leaves when he conyinues to recruit top 5 classes and owns Mich. If there is anything truth to the assertion then Sparty better tie up Dantonio now!
azwolverine
Sat, Aug 1, 2009 : 1:07 a.m.
Carroll certainly deserves to be the highest paid coach in the country. In fact, most of those top guys have earned their paychecks. Ferentz near the top is interesting, though, and Weis at #2 is laughable. He gets paid more than Urban Meyer, Mark Richt and Les Miles??? As for Tressel leaving OSU, it's not happening any time soon. In fact, as a Michigan fan, I don't want it to happen. He's the guy I want Michigan to beat. OSU was not what they are now until the vest got there. I want him there when Michigan turns this rivalry back around. I think Michigan's time is coming back around, and I want Tressel there to experience it when it does.
BoulderLion
Fri, Jul 31, 2009 : 11:52 p.m.
See, it's this kind of off the wall conspiracy theory that will keep Tater up all night. Tressel leaves OSU, Dantonio goes to OSU, Izzo leaves for the NBA...all of course leading to the inescapable conclusion that U of M will reign once again.
jimtrashel
Fri, Jul 31, 2009 : 11:16 a.m.
Tressel is having 2nd thoughts now. He'll be having 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th thoughts on Nov. 21 at about 4 PM.
tater
Fri, Jul 31, 2009 : 10:27 a.m.
Tressel might not want to leave now, but the way the UM/OSU series has been streaky the last twenty years, I could see RR getting the pendulum to swing the other way and Tressel leaving then. And, of course, Dantonio lobbying for his job.
wavsav
Fri, Jul 31, 2009 : 10:25 a.m.
RE: Tressel. Wasn't Coach Carr quoting some high-brow sources a couple of years before he retired? On the other hand, Tressel has not been the problem, has he?