2. Jim Tressel: 2001-2010
- Career Record: 106-22
- Awards and Accolades: 2002, ’05-’09 Big Ten Champions, 2002 National Championship, 2002 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year, 2002 Paul “Bear” Bryant Award, 2002 AFCA Coach of the Year, 2002 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
If John Cooper kept the Buckeyes relevant in the 1990’s, Jim Tressel brought it to the next level in the 2000’s. Tressel got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at Akron for three seasons before becoming an offensive assistant at Miami of Ohio, Syracuse and Ohio State under Earle Bruce. In 1986, he became head coach of Youngstown State of Division I-AA, it was there that Tressel cut his teeth, winning four I-AA national championships and turning the Youngstown State program into a national power.
Following the firing of John Cooper, Tressel was brought in for the 2001 season as a relative unknown to many college football fans. Following a 7-5 opener, Tressel led the Buckeyes to a surprise undefeated season and upset of the Miami Hurricanes dynasty to win the 2002 BCS National Championship. Tressel would never win less than eight games for the rest of his Ohio State career, including five Big Ten Championships and two more national championship game appearances.
However, Tressel’s tenure in Columbus came to an abrupt end following the 2010 season as the “Tattoogate” scandal, involving Terrelle Pryor, Devier Posey and Dan “Boom” Herron and resigned on May 30, 2011. In 2014 he became the President of Youngstown State University.