If Allegations Are True: Jim Tressell's Contract Could Be Void And The 2010 Season Disqualified

Uh oh. The Ohio State Buckeyes football head coach, Jim Tressel, could be in serious trouble. Five tOSU players, including quarterback Terrelle Pryor and running back Dan Herron, violated NCAA eligibility rules by selling their own property to the owner of a tattoo parlor in Columbus. According to Yahoo! Sports, Edward Rife, the owner of the tattoo parlor, was targeted during a federal probe that forced federal investigators to contact the school because Rife was in possession of "memorabilia that previously belonged to five players." The local United States Attorney's office contacted the school in December about the situation. The school was adament that the team first heard of the infractions in December.

However, Jim Tressel may have known about it "as early as April 2010, according to a source."

According to a source, a concerned party reached out to Tressel last April, alerting the coach that memorabilia transactions had taken place between Rife and a handful of Buckeyes players, including Pryor. The selling of items violates NCAA eligibility rules. The source said Tressel was troubled by the information, and the coach indicated that he would investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

Whether the coach initiated an investigation of the accusation is unclear, but all five players remained on the field in the coming months, playing out the 2010 regular season.

Tressel's knowledge of the infractions, failing to inform the school, could cost him his job, as well as serious infractions against the school, including possibly having the 2010 season disqualified.

If Tressel knew of the potential violations in April and did not act on or inform his superiors about it, he could be charged with NCAA violations including unethical conduct, failure to monitor and/or a failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance. As is standard for most coaches at major Division I schools, Tressel's contract can be terminated for failing to promptly report violations

Ohio State has yet to comment on the allegations, but are planning to respond on Tuesday. And as Along The Olentangy points out, this isn't confirmed and coming through a single unnamed source.

Yes. You're right. We are a website site that specifically covers one NFL team. But sometimes we meander outside the normalcy of the Bengals (LOL) when it affects us. For example, bigger news items regarding our division is needed to keep us informed of those teams when the Bengals are tasked with beating them for the division crown. News on the University of Cincinnati's football team appeals to some, where as the Ohio State Buckeyes appeal to others.