Ex-Ohio State football coach and political newcomer is officially lieutenant governor – The Cauldron
Former Ohio State University (OSU) football coach Jim Tressel has been sworn in as Ohio’s next lieutenant governor in a morning ceremony on Friday, Feb. 14.
A 72-year-old Republican from Medina, Tressel was swiftly confirmed by the Ohio Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 12, winning the Ohio Senate and House by separate votes of 31-1 and 68-27.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine nominated Tressel on Monday, Feb. 10 to replace former Lt. Gov Jon Husted, who was chosen to replace Vice President JD Vance in the U.S. Senate mid-January.
“I wanted someone who shared my values, Ohio’s values,” DeWine said of Tressel. “Someone who can pull people together. I want someone who shares my vision for the state of Ohio, and that is, we want everyone to live up to their God-given potential.”
Having served as president of Youngstown State University (YSU) from 2014 to 2023, Tressel will leave retirement to serve as lieutenant governor. His football coaching experience spans Akron, Miami (Ohio), Syracuse, YSU and OSU, the latter from 1983 to 1985 and later from 2001 to 2010.
He resigned from OSU amid an NCAA investigation into his players for alleged impermissible conduct, including selling memorabilia and receiving free tattoos. His record with the Buckeyes was 106-22, including victories at six bowl games and the 2002 national championship.
The former coach and academic administrator has never served in public office before, though did not rule out a potential bid for governor in 2026, he told the Youngstown Vindicator. If he did launch a campaign, he would join a growing Republican pool that includes Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and soon enough, business and former U.S. presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Dr. Amy Acton, former director of the Ohio Department of Health, is the sole Democrat running for governor thus far.
Tressel called his selection by DeWine “a humbling moment.”
“I don’t know this world. Fortunately I believe in our governor and what he believes in,” shared Tressel. “And my first job is to go to school on that.”