In a sense of nostalgia, the national championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks gave us a blast from the past for the pregame.
Remember when Chip Kelly coached the Oregon Ducks? Remember when Jim Tressel coached the Buckeyes? Remember when Mike Belloti coached the Ducks before Kelly?
Belloti and Kelly both coached at a period when Tressel was at Ohio State.
And it was nice to see them back in Dallas supporting the school they coached during this game.
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes former head coach Jim Tressel in attendance before the 2015 CFP National Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Belloti obviously belongs. He’s the athletic director for the Ducks. He has played as much of a role in building this program since leaving in 2008 as he did while coaching there.
Tressel is is there as a result of the College Football Hall of Fame. But given the controversy behind his firing in 2011, with the tattoo controversy, he didn’t have to show up supporting the school he served for 10 years before being forced out the door.
But he did and did so with grace.
Then there’s Kelly. With the Eagles missing the playoffs and Oregon possibly on the verge of accomplishing something Kelly never got while there, he’s not looking too hot right now. But he is still willing to show up, give his analysis, and obviously support his once trusted assistant in Mark Helfrich and the school he served for years.
All three are great men, all three were great coaches. Having them at the game is only a good thing for college football.
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