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Posted on Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 11:40 a.m.

Michigan's Bo Schembechler considered ex-Ohio State coach Jim Tressel 'a snake in the grass'

By AnnArbor.com Staff

Former Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler saw recently resigned Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel as "a snake in the grass," according to Ann Arbor author John U. Bacon.

Thumbnail image for Schembechler.1979.Crowd.jpg

Bo Schembechler.

Bacon, who wrote "Bo's Lasting Lessons," with Schembechler's help, spoke today on WTKA-AM (1050) on "The Michigan Insider" with hosts Sam Webb and Ira Weintraub about the ongoing NCAA investigation into the Ohio State football program and Tressel's resignation on Monday. A listener wanted to know what Schembechler would have thought of the scandal.

"You want a quote?" Bacon said. "Bo described to me that Tressel was a snake in the grass."

Bacon went on to say that Schembechler also described Tressel as a nice guy, very charming and a "helluva recruiter."

Bacon, a freelance writer and speaker who has taught several classes at the University of Michigan, also wrote about Ohio State and Tressel on his blog today, noting that even now the ex-coach will be fine.

"The mess Tressel leaves behind will be for everyone else to clean up: the players, the school and the next coach, for years," Bacon wrote.

Comments

OldBittyBates

Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 10:26 p.m.

It looks like the author was reading my mind rather than Bo's. I've felt those thoughts ever since Coach Jimbo T spoke blasphemy against Michigan during a speech at the very beginning of his career. He proved his reptile side using words not appropriate for an opposing coach to say about the blessed Wolverine football squad.

1st Down

Sun, Jun 5, 2011 : 10:24 p.m.

Bo was right about Tressel.... as usual, a man with character can spot one without it pretty easily

a2citizen

Sun, Jun 5, 2011 : 1:02 a.m.

superbuck: two comments: 1. whatever 2. 3,858 days since osu has had a clean victory

JohnnyPunani

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 9:55 p.m.

Mr. Bacon, Do you doubt your own personal credibility and/or opinions so much you have to use the memory of a dead man to prove yourself? I think it is fair to say Jim Tressel is "a snake in the grass" from what has been reported alone.

golfbuddy

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.

personally I don't give care who likes or dislikes Rich Rod--however I think the comment from Lorain Steelmen that she doesn't have a dog in this fight--leads me to believe she and Mikey Vick have something in common---did she attend any of his dogfighting events----just asking---no one who loves animals would use a term like that---

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 8:48 p.m.

There she goes again!!!! Every article about Michigan football (or in this case, about Tosu football) Lorraine writes her fiction about the WCiMFH: Bo supported the hiring of the soon-to-be WCiMFH. Coach Carr ran a country club Coach Carr left the cupboard bare. People who criticized the WCiMFH did due to his "blue collar" background. ad infinitum. And then the best one: anyone who does not accept her uber-bizarre re-write of history cannot possibly be a Michigan alum or a true Michigan fan. Might be time to demote tater and to promote Lorraine to the presidency of the MCC. Good Night and Good Luck

1st Down

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 7:53 p.m.

To the Buckeye fans that posted above: Darn...it must really be painful to know that every win that you have had in the past 10 seasons is tainted, because you compensated your players illegally, and played them when they should have been ineligible. Deep down this is very very painful for you...because no one wants their efforts to be in vain. However yours are... and it hurts ever so badly! There there little buck... you'll be competitive again in a few years... not as "competitive" as the Tressel-Error... but that Error was all a mirage and a lie wasnt it? There there.

Lorain Steelmen

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 7:41 p.m.

I was a Engin student here in '69 when Bo showed up. When he came in, Bo knew he had to run the program HIS way. He had to be, who HE was! If it didn't work, he knew he'd be gone. Bo had 5 years to turn it around. Bo's strong suit was defense, NOT offense! Bump left Bo a LOT of talent on that '69 squad. SEVERAL guys dropped out, because of the demanding new coach! So Bo created a sign, that those that stay WILL be champions. In 2008, another new coach arrived in AA. Like Bo, he was a 'blue collar' guy, that knew he had to shake things up. The culture of entitlement was everywhere. Like Bo, RR knew he would have to run the program HIS way. RR's strong suit was offense, not defense, so he started to rebuild the offense first. He thought he had 6 years...he was wrong. Unlike Bump, who left Bo with some great players, Lloyd left RR with very little. Further, he even suggested that Malllett move on...Like Bo before him, RR worked the kids hard! He was attacked and even investigated for it, and disguntled players left. But this time they used excuses like 'lack of family values', to cover their failures. One even went to 'THE pinnacle of family values', in Columbus Ohio. So half way through his 6 year agreement, RR is gone. So much for agreements! And other new coach has arrived. But RR hasn't suggested that DRob move on. In fact, RR has left many great kids, as well as great athletes, to form the nucleus of a great team. And these kids WILL stay, not NOT leave, when they are asked to learn, yet another new scheme. So the fickle, so called 'fans', who were unwilling to give last coach a little patience and support, will now be called upon, to support yet another new caoch. Only time will tell. But for his sake I hope Hoke doesn't stumble, or they will turn on him, just as they turned on his predecessor! Hoke has 6 years. I hope he gets the entire 6. Only time will tell, but Hoke will begin with the kids that RR left him.. a year older, and year stronger. Go Blue!

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Mon, Jun 6, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.

@UK: You assume that there is logic at work here. Good Night and Good Luck

UKWolverine

Sun, Jun 5, 2011 : 10:32 a.m.

Just to clarify Lorraine, do you see Brady Hoke as some elite, white collar, country club type? F.Y.I If the answer is anything other than yes then you've just invalidated your wholde 'blue collar' argument

Terry Star21

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 6:23 p.m.

This is outrageous..what purpose does an article like this this have ? It certainly has no hope to highlight a great person such as Bo, and certainly comes close to a tarnish attempt of this great man. I agree with glimmertwin, it is not appropriate to say or quote what someone 'may' have said - without that person being able to respond. And michigan7011, you are right on with Les Miles, who I feel has been walking on thing ice for many years (every wonder why he was passed over twice w/o a contract offer ?). And superbuck, hang tough....I feel your extreme pain - hopefully some day many years/decades from now you can find something to support and be proud of, and curb your anger.

superbuck

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.

Here's one to make all you Mich fans happy <a href="http://images.craigslist.org/3n63k13l95V35Z45W6b634db9f2d8c2d61fa8.jpg" rel='nofollow'>http://images.craigslist.org/3n63k13l95V35Z45W6b634db9f2d8c2d61fa8.jpg</a>

superbuck

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 5:57 p.m.

Mission you must have graduated from Mich. The point I'am trying to make is yes we have crap to clean up now. But don't act like you are all without shame yourselves. NOW DO YOU UNDERSTAND IF NOT YOU NEED TO FUTHER YOUR EDUCATION AT MSU

missionbrazil

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.

superbuck, why don't you go clean up your own mess first before you start pointing fingers elsewhere. And you better get started cleaning soon, because you have a huge mess at tOSU.

Will Warner

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 3:41 p.m.

Folks, BO DEAD.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.

Not according to Lorraine! She thinks he rose from the dead to support the hiring of the recently departed Worst Coach in Michigan Football History (WCiMFH). Good Night and Good Luck

genetracy

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.

Say what you want about Tressel, but he never ran the score up on your beloved Blue the last few years. Looking back, I wish the Buckeyes would have scored 100 points last season. Another thing, Michigan has a new coach, but what bhave they accomplished? Stop acting like they are a top five team.

superbuck

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 3:21 p.m.

I have made my point that Uof M is not squeaky clean like they have been acting the last week

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.

@superbuck: A typically literate OSU post. And to answer your question: No one I know has said that. The Ed Martin scandal was one of the lowest points in Wolverine history. But unlike the Kool Aid drinkers in Columbus, I know NO ONE in A2 who thinks that that scandal was &quot;no big deal&quot;. But looking at the conversations on the Columbus Dispatch, Buckeye Nation is in deep denial. But, if you like comparisons, let's try this: The penalties that the NCAA meted out for the Ed Martin scandal damaged the UM basketball program for more than a decade--we are only now beginning to emerge from its shadow. The NCAA's penalties for Tosu ought to be at least as severe. Good Night and Good Luck

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.

Yeah, superbuck's situation reminds me of LBJ's description of how he felt when criticism of his Vietnam policy reached a crescendo: [said with a Texas twang] "I feel like a hitch-hiker caught in a hailstorm on a Texas highway. I can't run. I can't hide. And I can't make it stop." Good Night and Good Luck

Terry Star21

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 6:16 p.m.

superbuck is really hurting right now, there seems to be no hope and no ending to how deep this investigation and penalties may go.....it is truly a horrible time to be a buckeye fan.

cutty240

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 3:01 p.m.

To all Michigan Fans.Let Bo REST IN PIECE.Some more words of advice.Beat someone on the field,not in the papers.Bo is gone,Rich is gone.No Future in the Past.BEAT SOMEBODY,then start talking.The All Mighty Big Ten has EGG ALL OVER ITS FACE.Nice Comment from Mary Sue,I HAVE NO CLUE Coleman.Her and Gordan Gee would be a match made in heaven.Dumb,and Dumber.

superbuck

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.

This is to all the super folks in Mich that have put yourselves so high on the pedestal you can see the world. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Michigan_basketball_scandal" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Michigan_basketball_scandal</a>

Ed Crank

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 3:06 a.m.

i agree bo is not here to say anything so the report is useless. i am mad that tressel is gone because i feel in my heart that brady will turn tide in the rivalry and i am upset that he can't do it against tressel. i was born and raised in mich but have lived in ohio for 25 years and they are already saying we could not beat tressel and never will. let the buckeyes do the thing the always have. lie,cheatand steal every win they have while we earn the right to be MICHIGAN WOLVERINES the leaders and the best

Jaxon5

Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.

I'm not disappointed with either Bo or Bacon, just Tressel. If JT had only faltered about 9 years ago, then we would be in less of a mess than the one we're in - only beating him once in the ten or eleven years he coached OSU.

kidmich

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 11:19 p.m.

Bob at 12:11 PM on June 3, 2011 This may, indeed, be what Bo thought. Pretty classless to quote him now. I don't believe that Bo, if alive, would have said that to the media. I'm disappointed with Bacon I don't totally disagree with you, but Bo had zero tolerance for this type of behavior.

dongiles

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 9:34 p.m.

Completely out of line to quote somebody from the grave! I'm a Michigan man but this is not worthy of the quoter.

John A Klave

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 9:26 p.m.

This story is disrespectful to Bo, let's let Bo rest in peace with the dignity he earned over a lifetime.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 9:24 p.m.

And, for the record, it is more than a little slimey to use Bo Schembechler to trash &quot;The Vest&quot;. Tressel has done a good enough job of that himself. Putting words in a dead man's mouth is rather classless. I'm disappointed in John U. Bacon. Good Night and Good Luck

michigan7011

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 9:12 p.m.

This is exactly how LC felt about Les Miles. He thought the guys was crooked. Thus the lack of support when the idea of Miles to Michigan was front and center. I think Bo was a great judge of character and Tressel just didn't pass the sniff test. Turns out he was correct.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.

Lorraine wrote: &quot;Bo WAS suppportive of Rodriguez, before he died.&quot; There she goes again. Bo died in November 2006. Lloyd Carr announced his retirement a couple weeks after that. The soon-to-be WCiMFH was hired in December 2007. So, either Bo rose from the dead to support the soon-to-be WCiMFH, or . . . . Bo publicly supported the hiring of the soon-to-be WCiMFH before Lloyd publicly before Lloyd had announced his retirement (else how could Lorraine possibly know this), or . . . . She's just makin' it up. As for her claim . . . &quot;and yet I have put up with a steady stream of crap, from one poster, in particular, on here, by saying that,&quot; all I can say is: prove your claim. In the world of the internet, nothing ever dies. If it was in the news, it is still there. Prove your claim. Else your just makin' it up. The same way you've been makin' it up about Lloyd Carr running a country club, etc, etc, etc. Finally, if you don't want the WCiMFH trashed in every discussion, don't bring him up. Yours was the third post in this discussion and the first to bring up the WCiMFH and, as you always do, you puffed him up. Get over him. He's gone. Good Night and Good Luck

Lorain Steelmen

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 8:23 p.m.

Mission ...C/mon!!! People were taking 'shots' at RR even before he arrived! (And you know it.) Obviously they (and you) looked at him like he was 'dirt under their fingernails'. (Oh my, He's from west virgina, don't you know.) The former coach (LC), it later was revealed, even talked the returning QB (Mallett) into leaving UM. (So, I guess a UM degree wasn't so important to LC afterall!) The flatout lies, obnoxious distortions, and inuendoes, hurled at RR over the last three years have been just appalling! RR was an 'unknown' to me, when he came in here, so I didn't have a 'dog in that fight'. But I refuse to sit back and let all you so-called 'fans' dump on a guy, (any guy), just because he doesn't fit some 'preconcieved' notion or status. It all makes me sick. I'll support the new coach (Hoke), for all the same reasons....and again, I didn't think Hoke would be my first choice. Nevetheless, he deserves the chance to run the program 'his way'. Its' just too darn bad, the former coach wasn't accorded the same basic curtesy. The infighting here, was obnoxious! Frankly, you and a lot of the other so-called 'fans' who have nothiig to do with this school, have only brought it down by your narrow-minded tirades!

David Vande Bunte

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 9:50 p.m.

&quot;The former coach (LC), it later was revealed, even talked the returning QB (Mallett) into leaving UM.&quot; This is one of the single biggest falsehoods you and the other MCC'ers have propagated. RichRod made absolutely NO attempt to tell Mallett he was still welcome on the team. It was only because Mallett was growing extremely frustrated with RichRod's lack of communication that he sought Lloyd Carr out for advice. RichRod did not want Mallett because Mallett did not fit his system, period. Stop pretending otherwise.

Jason

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.

This is what Bo said, taken directly from page one of Chapter 6 in his and Bacon's book &quot;Lasting Lessons&quot; On being the coach....&quot;I don't think they can say I didn't know that was going on, what they're saying is they're too dumb to do their job and if they're to dumb to do their job, why are they being paid millions?&quot; -Bo Schembechler (Chapter 6) This passage can be directly linked to what's going on right now at that school in Ohio. You only can play that &quot;stupid&quot; card for so long McSweatervest.

treetowncartel

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 9:26 p.m.

Or, that passage can be directly attributed to what happened under Bo and Steve's watch with the cagers in the early 90's. See, we all expect OSU's athletic director to know what is going on, but when it comes to our school we change our tune. Please pass the Kool-Aid.

azwolverine

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.

I don't think it's appropriate to quote Bo on this simply because Bo is not around to clarify the context. Context is everything. If Bo had wanted this said publicly in the context it appears to be said in, Bo was certainly man enough to say it himself. He wouldn't hide his feelings just as he didn't with Mike White. I personally feel this quote was taken out of context, but that's just me. As for the recently fired UM coach, Bo was never around to critique the job he did at UM, so to claim he was supportive of that is a fallacy. Again, it's taking something Bo might have said at one time and completely changing the context. To further claim that Bo would have supported NCAA sanctions and a 6-18 record is purely subjective and not something I myself believe. In either case, no one knows what Bo would truly feel about the subject because he's not here...but based on his history, I personally don't think sanctions would have been something he would have been highly supportive of. Again, that's just my opinion. It is time to move on, however, and support our current coach and the program WE have. Let OSU worry about what they are going to have to do to remain competive with the rest of the B10 while we focus on passing them and the rest of the B10 by.

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 9:10 p.m.

az: But Lorraine has been claiming that Bo supported the WCiMFH for several months. Pretty funny, that. Good Night and Good Luck

missionbrazil

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:07 p.m.

Some people just can't stop bringing up whatshisname. The article is about something Bo said about The Vest, and yet there is a comment about how Bo supported whatshisname. And to make it worse, people are not &quot;true UM fans&quot; if they disagree or if they do not believe the obviously flawed claim. Lorain &quot;What IS sad, is the silly, now moronic way, that many of you can't look beyond a coaches 'social status', or 'social class'. And that was all it amounted to....and YOU know it!&quot; Lorain, you just keep on making things up. That is pure fabrication, and YOU know it. No one cares about RR's &quot;social status&quot; or &quot;social class&quot; ... we DID care that he did a lousy job as the coach of our football team ... LOUSY = 6-18 in the Big Ten ... that is what you call a FACT.

Bob

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.

Now, let's not let facts get in our way!

glimmertwin

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 5:51 p.m.

Let Bo RIP. This is disrespectful to throw out quotes like these now when the man can't be here to clarify himself. If I want rubbish like this, I can read the British tabloids.

kti

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 5:30 p.m.

Bo WAS suppportive of Rodriguez, before he died, ...&quot;-Lorain Steelmen Wow, the silly effort to make RR a 'victim' in what played out to be clear evidence that the man was not the coach the media hyped him to be. Many were taken in by the couple of good seasons he had at WVU. I was one of those. However, I've got no problem admitting I was wrong. He was horrible at UM and his record reflects that by any logical measure. Now we have RR groupies saying Bo &quot;supported&quot; RR, in a clear and disingenuous attempt to make some believe that the legend really liked the &quot;job&quot; being done by the worst coach in UM history. Bo passed away 13 months prior to the day that RR was hired, it's nonsensical and a flat out lie to imply any public support from Bo to RR as UM coach. I guess I understand RR groupies need to make things up as the reality is too painful. I suppose if you see a coach who in 3 seasons won only more than Indiana in the conference as a guy who, magically, one day was going to win NCs by the boatload you probably have vivid memories of Bo saying publicly what a great job RR was doing. Who knows, maybe it was in the same media (that most of us missed apparently) when Yost and Crisler were &quot;supportive&quot; of RR, too. It started out as silly, went to completely moronic, and now it's just sad. It's a free country, so RR groupies can keep talking about the greatness of their hero and his myriad of stunning accomplishments at UM if they like, but count me as one who would like them to leave Bo out of it. It's just sad

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 9:13 p.m.

Don't hold your breath, mun. She won't provide any--never has before. Which, of course, means it does not exist except in her fertile mind. Good Night and Good Luck

mun

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:03 p.m.

&quot;You can twist it any way you want, but BO WAS still supportive of Rodriguez!&quot; Name the time Bo said &quot;I support Rich Rodriguez.&quot; Links?

Lorain Steelmen

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 5:42 p.m.

You can twist it any way you want, but BO WAS still supportive of Rodriguez! And I can tell you, he would have been supportive of RR while RR was here! Bo would have been appalled by the 'personal attacks', that RR had to endure here. What IS sad, is the way so called UM fans, behaved during the past three years. What IS sad, is the silly, now moronic way, that many of you can't look beyond a coaches 'social status', or 'social class'. And that was all it amounted to....and YOU know it! The whole thing was disgusting! I only hope that Hoke is treated better than his predecessor was, but I'm not optomistic. So much for being an institution of 'higher learning' where we are supposed to be open minded.

JustfortheRecord

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 5:12 p.m.

Bo was supportive of Rodriguez at WVU, cause he passed away 2 Ohio State games before Rodriguez' name was ever mentioned in Ann Arbor.

RWBill

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 4:42 p.m.

Bo knows football. Woody probably thought the same thing.

226chosen

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.

LOL coming from a man of Bo's ilk, that's a hoot.... both bo and tressel come from the same coaching tree....Pot, go ahead and call the kettle black... LOL

azwolverine

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:39 p.m.

'Bo's ilk' is top notch. Give me some FACTS that refute that. We've got our facts on Tressel.

mun

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 4:46 p.m.

U-M never got in trouble with the NCAA under Bo.

Lorain Steelmen

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.

Bob, you are certainly entitled to your beliefs. But I also believe, that BO, WOULD have thought that, about Tressel. So I am NOT disappointed in Bacon at all! Bo WAS suppportive of Rodriguez, before he died, and yet I have put up with a steady stream of crap, from one poster, in particular, on here, by saying that. In truth, Bo supported blue collar, hardworking guys, who did things the right way. Tressel violated all of those characteristics. Some of you may also remember the feud Bo had with Mike White, at Illinois, who Bo thought, had no integrity. This Tressel issue, is similar in many respects.

Bob

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.

I have no problem with Bo believing that, I just don't think he would say is publicly (to the formal press). I'm also sure he said a lot of things to Bacon that were off the record. This may or may not been one of them. To bring it up now, in my opinion, lacks class.

mun

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 4:43 p.m.

&quot; Bo WAS suppportive of Rodriguez, before he died,&quot; Bo died in November of 2006. Rich Rodriguez was hired in December of 2007. When did Bo support Rodriguez as U-M head coach?

treetowncartel

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 4:23 p.m.

Snake in ther grass could mean a lot of things. Seeing as how bo said he was a great recruiter it was probably in the context of keeping your eyes open when you had a potetnial commitment.

Bob

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 4:11 p.m.

This may, indeed, be what Bo thought. Pretty classless to quote him now. I don't believe that Bo, if alive, would have said that to the media. I'm disappointed with Bacon.

Bob

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:25 p.m.

Arth - 1. I need &quot;proof&quot; for an opinion? 2. Where did you get illegal and immoral? I believe I used the word &quot;classless&quot;. Just to clarify, for anyone who cares or actually misunderstood, I just don't believe that Bo, if alive today, would say that about Tressel to the public. I am not questioning that he said it to Bacon, or that he might share that opinion with friends, but it was not in the book and it comes out now. Not illegal, not immoral, just without class - something that was important to Bo.

ex734

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.

what was bo supposed to do? lie and say, he's a swell guy when he had that gut feeling the vest was a snake? You think bo would want bacon to lie and gloss over it or tell the truth?

ArthGuinness

Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 4:20 p.m.

Your comment is rather strange. Bacon *is* the media, and Bo knew that. They spent quite a bit of time together. If you're implying that Bo asked for that comment to be off-the-record, or didn't even say it at all, I guess you'll just have to provide some sort of proof. And I've never heard it's illegal or immoral to quote dead people.