Report: alleges tO$U knowenly hid NCAA violations

[trackrunner]

[snip]
Since the NCAA says that Tressel knowingly used ineligible players, it would seem probable that the 2010 regular season would be vacated — ending the Buckeyes' run of Big Ten titles at six in a row. The NCAA could also come down hard on Tressel, compelling Ohio State to add to Tressel's suspension or issue sanctions leading to the school firing him.

[snip]
Tressel's troubles began with an April 2, 2010, email from Columbus lawyer Christopher Cicero. Cicero, a former Ohio State walk-on player, informed Tressel that a federal agency had raided the house of tattoo-shop owner Eddie Rife and discovered a multitude of autographed Ohio State jerseys, cleats, pants and helmets, Big Ten championship rings and the "gold pants" trinkets given to Buckeyes players for beating archrival Michigan.
Tressel responded, "I will get on it ASAP."


Yet he did not notify Smith or Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee, anyone else in the athletic department, the NCAA compliance department, or anyone in the university's legal department. Instead, he forwarded the email to Jeannette, Pa., businessman Ted Sarniak, a friend and mentor to star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who was subsequently discovered to be one of the players involved with Rife.
The Columbus Dispatch reported Monday that Tressel went on to exchange at least 12 emails with Cicero, and also had numerous lengthy telephone conversations with Sarniak over the weeks and months ahead. Tressel still did not tell any of his superiors, anyone at the NCAA or his own compliance or legal departments.

In September 2010, Tressel even signed a mandatory and rather routine Ohio State compliance form which clearly and simply asks if he the coach has knowledge of any NCAA violations. By signing and dating it, he said that he did not.

[snip]
It was only when Ohio State began appealing the players' suspensions that it uncovered the emails, leading to Tressel ultimately receiving a five-game suspension and a $250,000 fine. Smith said last week that the fine given to Tressel — who makes around $3.5 million a year — would not cover Ohio State's costs of the investigation.

full article:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110426/...FhbGxlZ2VzdA--

[trackrunner]

so had they tried not to appeal the earlier suspension and just kept their mouth shut accepting the suspension this would not have been uncovered. now the suspensions may be longer, program on probation and post season ban, and Tressel may sit out longer or even fired.

[DiscGo]

I suspect that Tressel is going to be forced out over this. I can only suspect that years of painful BCS losses compromised his moral judgement. This really is too bad (for Buckeye Nation at least) because Tressel has done a lot to clean up the program (before he got there the team had a bunch of thugs that necessitated 3 full time lawyers on retainer. Tressel has been good previously about mentoring these boys and cleaning up the team). So it is really sad to see someone whose legacy is based on success and integrity lose their integrity.