Scarlet Sunrise: Jim Tressel throws first pitch at Cleveland Guardians game

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Jim Tressel throws first pitch at Cleveland Guardians game

Former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel threw out the first pitch Friday night at Progressive Field before the Cleveland Guardians kicked off their series against the Minnesota Twins.

It was Youngstown State University Night at the ballpark. Tressel, of course, was both the head coach of the FCS Penguins from 1986-2000 and also the president of the university from 2014-23. He just stepped down from his post as university president back in February.

Former Ohio State head coach and Youngstown State President Jim Tressel met with Guardians manager Terry Francona before throwing out tonight’s first pitch at Progressive Field. #Guardians pic.twitter.com/i3RUMpza4m

— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) May 5, 2023

Tressel amassed a 135–57–2 record at Youngstown State, where he guided the Penguins to four Division I-AA titles across his coaching tenure. His success there paved the way for him landing the Ohio State head coaching job ahead of the 2001 season. Tressel replaced John Cooper and immediately turned the tide in the program’s rivalry against Michigan.

Tressel went 9-1 in The Game while at the helm of the Buckeyes. He posted an overall record of 106–22, including a Big Ten mark of 63-14, in his 10 years holding the position. That, of course, featured the 2002 national championship victory over Miami. Ohio State also reached the BCS title game under Tressel in 2006 and 2007.

Former Ohio State coach and current president at Youngstown State, Jim Tressel, tossed out the first pitch before tonight’s Indians game. #Indians pic.twitter.com/0gCPZGKU9G

— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) April 24, 2018

Tressel ultimately resigned as head coach of the Buckeyes in May 2011 following “tattoo-gate,” a scandal that involved Ohio State players trading in memorabilia for free or discounted tattoos.

Tressel then resumed his coaching career as a consultant for the Indianapolis Colts before transitioning into an administrative role, first as the Vice President of Strategic Engagement at Akron in 2012. And then, shortly after that, he began his run as Youngstown State’s president.

Pair of Buckeyes land on initial Lott IMPACT Trophy candidate list

Preseason watch lists are just starting to roll out, and a pair of Ohio State defensive players have already been honored. Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau made the Lott IMPACT Trophy initial candidate list.

IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. The award is given annually to a defensive player who has high character and makes the largest impact of any college football player on the side of the ball, on and off the field.

Only one Ohio State player has won the award before: current assistant linebackers coach James Laurinaitis in 2008.

For more on Eichenberg and Tuimoloau’s preseason recognition, go here.

How Buckeyes 2023 strength of schedule compares to last five seasons

A year removed from playing eight home games and four road games, Ohio State will have an even split of six home games and six road games in 2023. That includes visits to two of the most hostile environments in college football, Notre Dame and Michigan.

The Buckeyes’ remaining strength of schedule (SOS) ranks 23rd nationally, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index, a predictive rating system that also has Ohio State as the No. 1 team nationally entering the summer. ESPN defines remaining SOS as the “rank among all FBS teams of remaining schedule strength, from perspective of an average FBS team.”

Lettermen Row explores how the Buckeyes’ remaining SOS ranking compares to the team’s final SOS ranking from the past five seasons here.

RELATED

• Buckeyes ESPN FPI favorites to win national championship
• ESPN Analytics have Buckeyes as heavy favorite in all 12 regular-season games

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 121 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 205 days

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