REPORT: JIM TRESSEL WAS AWARE OF PLAYER VIOLATIONS IN APRIL 2010

Jim Tressel
(The Buckeye Times/D. Dunkle-Hudnell)

COLUMBUS — According to Yahoo! Sports, Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel, was aware of Buckeye players receiving improper benefits in April 2010, but didn't take immediate action — a direct violation of his contract which if proven to be true could result in his firing.

Neither Ohio State, nor the NCAA, would issue a comment on the accusations as of Monday night.

Read the entire story here.

According to Yahoo! ... Section 4.1(d) of Tressel’s contract with Ohio State stipulates that he “supervise and take appropriate steps to ensure … members of the Team know, recognize and comply with any such laws, University Rules and Governing Athletic Rules and immediately report to the (Athletic) Director and to the (Athletic) Department’s Office of Compliance Services in writing if any person or entity, including without limitation, representatives of Ohio State’s athletic interests, has violated or is likely to violate any such laws, University Rules and Governing Athletic Rules.”

Section 5.1 (m) of his contract also states that failure to promptly report “any violations” could lead to “termination by Ohio State for cause.”

In December, five Ohio State players — Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas — were suspended by the NCAA for the first five games of the 2011 regular season after selling memorabilia and receiving improper benefits.

Tressel, as well as Ohio State director of athletics Gene Smith, stated that they were not made aware of the violations until December 2010.

More to come ...