Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany on Ohio State: 'A lot of interest, and I don't think it's positive'

Posted on Tue, May 17, 2011 : 9:34 p.m.

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany on Ohio State: 'A lot of interest, and I don't think it's positive'

By Michael Rothstein

CHICAGO — Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany can’t gauge the impact of the NCAA investigation into Ohio State’s football program on the school or the Big Ten.

But he does know it is a topic that has generated a lot of talk over the past three months.

“A lot of interest,” Delany said at the Big Ten spring meetings Tuesday. “And I don’t think it’s positive.”

BIG TEN MEETINGS COVERAGE

AnnArbor.com sports reporter Michael Rothstein covered the three-day Big Ten Conference spring meetings in Chicago. Here is a compilation of his reports:

Coaches, ADs consider starting conference basketball games earlier in December

News, notes, observations and thoughts from the meetings

Brady Hoke is no fan of the early signing period

Michigan vs. Ohio State football at night? Not a bright idea, Hoke says

Jim Tressel says Hoke boosts the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry

Ohio State AD Gene Smith supports Tressel

ADs consider 9 games for football, moving league basketball games

Commissioner Jim Delaney on Ohio State: 'A lot of interest, and I don't think it's positive'

Big Ten is looking at Chicago and Indianapolis for future football and basketball championships

Michigan AD Dave Brandon wants a 9-game football schedule sooner rather than later

Michigan football team ahead of schedule in cutting practice time required from NCAA violations

Brandon outlines more Crisler Arena renovations

Currently, Ohio State is under investigation for eligibility questions into five players including quarterback Terrelle Pryor along with whether or not Buckeyes’ coach Jim Tressel covered up what he knew about the allegations against the players and their eligibility.

The NCAA is accusing Tressel of lying to hide violations committed by his players in a notice of allegations sent to the school in April. Tressel and others meet with the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions on Aug. 12 in Indianapolis.

“It’s a difficult set of facts and a difficult circumstance,” Delany said. “In due respect, I think the facts are known and we have a hearing date and we’ll go to a hearing and we’ll answer the questions and present the case and the NCAA will make a determination. And that’s the juncture at which time you’ll be able to absorb sort of exactly what it means in the short and the long term.

“Right now, to me, it’s just talking about something well in advance.”

At the meetings Tuesday, Tressel did not speak to a group to reporters waiting for him on the third floor of the Palmer House Hilton. Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith was not spotted Tuesday, although he is at the meetings.

Delany will also be in Indianapolis with Ohio State, although that is standard protocol. He was in Seattle last August for Michigan’s meeting with the Committee on Infractions as well.

As for Tressel, other football coaches said his demeanor during this week’s Big Ten meetings hasn’t changed.

Said Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio: “He seems like he always does.”

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by email at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein

Comments

truebluefan

Wed, May 18, 2011 : 2:48 p.m.

"In due respect, I think the facts are known and we have a hearing date and we'll go to a hearing and we'll answer the questions and present the case and the NCAA will make a determination. And that's the juncture at which time you'll be able to absorb sort of exactly what it means in the short and the long term. "Right now, to me, it's just talking about something well in advance." In other words, Jim, you don't know anything right now. Brevity is not your strong suit.

heartbreakM

Wed, May 18, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.

Gotta let this play out, I guess, but the fact that Tressel even still has a job speaks volumes about the seriousness which OSU views these charges.

Meangoblue

Wed, May 18, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.

There's this guy that I know at BillyJacks tatoo parlor over on the corner of State st. and Elm and he said................ "The block M's tatooed on Tressel's buttocks are only the beginning as far as sanctions go. Delaney was in here last week and said that another sanction for TSIO and Tressel will be a required lifetime mebership in the MCC Ann Arbor chapter 52-14." Trust me....this guy know what he is talking about. He works at a flea market on the weekends. MEEEEEEEEEEEEANchigan football will return from the black! If y'all don't believe me, just ask BillyJack!! TiM!! Go Blue!!

missionbrazil

Wed, May 18, 2011 : 10:16 p.m.

"another sanction for TSIO and Tressel will be a required lifetime mebership in the MCC Ann Arbor chapter 52-14" That is a tough sanction !

Meangoblue2

Wed, May 18, 2011 : 1:55 p.m.

Hey Mean....that is the same place I get my tatoos. BillyJack is an expert on a lot of things.

semperveritas

Wed, May 18, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.

jim 'the turtle' delany----his job isn't to root out wrongdoing but rather to smooth the path for the violators. our lessthanesteemed commissioner offered this pearl, 'a lot of interest. and i don't think it's positive.' delany must have studied the problem long and hard before he came up with that 'think'. but then he pushed nebraska for membership, in part, because it was accredited by the AAU. better 'think' again on that one, mr turtle. let's face it---he is huckster-in-chief for the bigten and especially its tv network. beyond that------not much.

Bogie

Wed, May 18, 2011 : 12:36 p.m.

It just means, that Michigan will lose to Ohio State's second string, with their new coach- Chris Spielman!

tater

Wed, May 18, 2011 : 9:23 a.m.

The Big Ten has won one split National Championship and one BCS Championship in the last forty years. And the one BCS championship was won by cheating. The only reason TSIO was alllowed to keep it was because Maurice Clarett refused to talk to the NCAA and verify what he said in an interview with ESPN The Magazine in Novermber of 2004. When you can't win National Championships, I guess having a squeaky clean image is the only thing you have left to fall back on. Consequently, I can see why Delaney is disturbed. Then, there is that little thing about being lied to... The best case scenario here is that Tressel is fired, Dantonio interviews but doesn't get hired, and has to go back to MSU, look his team in the eyes, and tell them he is a "Spartan for life."

aawolve

Thu, May 19, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.

@ rightmind- Not very "brite?" Oh, the irony.

rightmind250

Wed, May 18, 2011 : 2:17 p.m.

So, you would base your facts on a felon convicted of armed robbery? Not very brite Tater.

OldBittyBates

Wed, May 18, 2011 : 4:40 a.m.

What will it take to get Tressel to mess up and divulge too much information? I've got a hot and shiny lamp I'd love to push in his face for about 5 hours. Hopefully the examiners will be experienced in getting Coach Jimbo to sweat heavily. His cool and calm demeanor needs to get pushed to the limit. The days when he carried the image of Mr. goodie perfect holy buckeye have officially ended. Hooray! Go Blue!