The first step in the resignation of Jim Tressel was taken at 2:32 p.m. on Friday, April 2, 2010, when the Ohio State football coach received an email from Columbus lawyer Christopher T. Cicero, a former walk-on player at OSU who wanted to warn the coach that his players had been selling signed memorabilia to tattoo parlor owner Edward Rife.
What follows is a summary of events since that day, largely through quotes from the principals.
April 2, 2010 - "I am being told (REDACTED) and other players have taken Eddie Rife signed Ohio State memorabilia (shirts/jerseys/footballs) to Eddie who has been selling it for profit. I don't know if he gives any money in return to any players. I have been told OSU players including (REDACTED) have been given free tatoo's (sic) in exchange for signed memorabilia." - Cicero, in an email to Tressel
April 2, 2010 - "Thanks ... I will get on it ASAP." - Tressel, in a response to Cicero
April 16, 2010 - "(Rife) told me he has about 9 rings Big Ten championship. ... What I tell you is confidential." - Cicero, in an email to Tressel
April 16, 2010 - "I hear you!! It is unbelievable!! Thanks for your help ... keep me posted as to what I need to do if anything. I will keep pounding these kids hoping they grow up." - Tressel, in response
Sept. 13, 2010 - Along with every other athletic department employee, Tressel signs an annual NCAA certificate of compliance form indicating he has reported to the school any knowledge of possible violations.
Dec. 7, 2010 - The U.S. attorney's office contacts Ohio State, letting officials know it had discovered some Ohio State memorabilia during a raid on Rife's home and/or business.
Dec. 9, 2010 - "On or about" this day, Tressel first hears of what federal officials know about his players' items. He does not tell OSU officials about his email exchanges earlier in the year.
Dec. 16, 2010 - OSU first interviews the six players found to be involved with Rife (quarterback Terrelle Pryor, running back Daniel Herron, receiver DeVier Posey, offensive tackle Mike Adams, defensive end Solomon Thomas and reserve linebacker Jordan Whiting). A week later, athletic director Gene Smith thanks the players for their conduct in these interviews "because they were honest (and) forthright."
Dec. 17, 2010 - OSU contacts the Big Ten and NCAA to say that it is preparing a self-report of violations. It does so two days later, declaring the six players ineligible.
Dec. 21, 2010 - The NCAA conducts phone interviews with the players and then asks for additional information, which Ohio State provides on Dec. 22. That day, the NCAA tells Ohio State of its decision: five-game suspensions for five players and one game for Whiting, as well as allowing the players to remain eligible for the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4.
Dec. 23, 2010 - "I think we all have a little sensor within us, that, 'Boy, I'm not sure I should be doing this.' ... We have to seek the right solutions, and the right solutions are to come to people who understand the rules, who know what our options are, who could maybe provide a direction we could go." - Tressel, at the news conference announcing the player suspensions.
Dec. 23, 2010 - "As far as we know and what we're dealing with, this is the extent. It's limited to these particular guys, and we feel very confident that this is the extent of it." - Smith, when asked if he expected more revelations.
Dec. 31, 2010 - "What if our guys weren't sanctioned this year, and they happened to leave early? Would that be someone skirting the consequences for something they perhaps shouldn't have done?" - Tressel, in announcing that the five suspended juniors had all pledged to return in 2011, as a condition of playing in the Sugar Bowl.
Jan. 13, 2011 - While reviewing information related to OSU's appeal of NCAA sanctions, Ohio State's office of legal affairs discovers Tressel's email exchanges with Cicero. School officials searched email accounts of all other football staff members and found no evidence that any other staffer knew of the players' involvement with Rife before December 2010. Tressel acknowledges receiving the emails three days later, when questioned by school officials.
Feb. 8, 2011 - NCAA and school officials interview Tressel. He admits he understood he committed an NCAA violation, and said he did not look at eligibility issues before December because he figured it was inevitable that the players would be sanctioned.
March 8, 2011 - "I am sincerely saddened I let some people down and didn't do things as well as I possibly could." - Tressel, in announcing he had violated an NCAA rule by withholding information.
March 8, 2011 - "Wherever we end up, at the end of the day, Jim Tressel is our football coach. ... He's our coach, and we trust him implicitly." - Smith
March 8, 2011 - "Are you kidding? I'm just hopeful the coach doesn't dismiss me." - University President E. Gordon Gee, when asked if he considered firing Tressel.
March 30, 2011 - "I've never had that thought. That wouldn't be something that would jump in my mind unless there came that point in time where I said, 'You know what? The best thing for these kids is if I do,' and I don't feel that way." - Tressel, when asked if he considered resigning.
April 22, 2011 - The NCAA sends Ohio State a "notice of allegations" accusing Tressel of lying to investigators and failing to disclose possible NCAA violations to his compliance office and/or superiors.
May 6, 2011 - "We have nothing to believe a violation has occurred." - OSU director of compliance Doug Archie, responding to a Dispatch report that a number of OSU players and family members may have received improper discounts when buying used cars at a Columbus dealership.
May 30, 2011 - "After meeting with university officials, we agreed that it is in the best interest of Ohio State that I resign as head football coach. The appreciation that Ellen and I have for the Buckeye Nation is immeasurable." - Tressel, in a university-issued statement
May 30, 2011 - "In consultation with the senior leadership of the Board of Trustees, I have been actively reviewing matters attendant to our football program, and I have accepted Coach Tressel's resignation. The university's enduring public purposes and its tradition of excellence continue to guide our actions." - Gee, in the same statement.
May 30, 2011 - "We look forward to refocusing the football program on doing what we do best - representing this extraordinary university and its values on the field, in the classroom, and in life. We look forward to supporting Luke Fickell in his role as our football coach. We have full confidence in his ability to lead our football program." - Smith, in the same statement.
What follows is a summary of events since that day, largely through quotes from the principals.
April 2, 2010 - "I am being told (REDACTED) and other players have taken Eddie Rife signed Ohio State memorabilia (shirts/jerseys/footballs) to Eddie who has been selling it for profit. I don't know if he gives any money in return to any players. I have been told OSU players including (REDACTED) have been given free tatoo's (sic) in exchange for signed memorabilia." - Cicero, in an email to Tressel
April 2, 2010 - "Thanks ... I will get on it ASAP." - Tressel, in a response to Cicero
April 16, 2010 - "(Rife) told me he has about 9 rings Big Ten championship. ... What I tell you is confidential." - Cicero, in an email to Tressel
April 16, 2010 - "I hear you!! It is unbelievable!! Thanks for your help ... keep me posted as to what I need to do if anything. I will keep pounding these kids hoping they grow up." - Tressel, in response
Sept. 13, 2010 - Along with every other athletic department employee, Tressel signs an annual NCAA certificate of compliance form indicating he has reported to the school any knowledge of possible violations.
Dec. 7, 2010 - The U.S. attorney's office contacts Ohio State, letting officials know it had discovered some Ohio State memorabilia during a raid on Rife's home and/or business.
Dec. 9, 2010 - "On or about" this day, Tressel first hears of what federal officials know about his players' items. He does not tell OSU officials about his email exchanges earlier in the year.
Dec. 16, 2010 - OSU first interviews the six players found to be involved with Rife (quarterback Terrelle Pryor, running back Daniel Herron, receiver DeVier Posey, offensive tackle Mike Adams, defensive end Solomon Thomas and reserve linebacker Jordan Whiting). A week later, athletic director Gene Smith thanks the players for their conduct in these interviews "because they were honest (and) forthright."
Dec. 17, 2010 - OSU contacts the Big Ten and NCAA to say that it is preparing a self-report of violations. It does so two days later, declaring the six players ineligible.
Dec. 21, 2010 - The NCAA conducts phone interviews with the players and then asks for additional information, which Ohio State provides on Dec. 22. That day, the NCAA tells Ohio State of its decision: five-game suspensions for five players and one game for Whiting, as well as allowing the players to remain eligible for the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4.
Dec. 23, 2010 - "I think we all have a little sensor within us, that, 'Boy, I'm not sure I should be doing this.' ... We have to seek the right solutions, and the right solutions are to come to people who understand the rules, who know what our options are, who could maybe provide a direction we could go." - Tressel, at the news conference announcing the player suspensions.
Dec. 31, 2010 - "What if our guys weren't sanctioned this year, and they happened to leave early? Would that be someone skirting the consequences for something they perhaps shouldn't have done?" - Tressel, in announcing that the five suspended juniors had all pledged to return in 2011, as a condition of playing in the Sugar Bowl.
Jan. 13, 2011 - While reviewing information related to OSU's appeal of NCAA sanctions, Ohio State's office of legal affairs discovers Tressel's email exchanges with Cicero. School officials searched email accounts of all other football staff members and found no evidence that any other staffer knew of the players' involvement with Rife before December 2010. Tressel acknowledges receiving the emails three days later, when questioned by school officials.
Feb. 8, 2011 - NCAA and school officials interview Tressel. He admits he understood he committed an NCAA violation, and said he did not look at eligibility issues before December because he figured it was inevitable that the players would be sanctioned.
March 8, 2011 - "I am sincerely saddened I let some people down and didn't do things as well as I possibly could." - Tressel, in announcing he had violated an NCAA rule by withholding information.
March 8, 2011 - "Wherever we end up, at the end of the day, Jim Tressel is our football coach. ... He's our coach, and we trust him implicitly." - Smith
March 8, 2011 - "Are you kidding? I'm just hopeful the coach doesn't dismiss me." - University President E. Gordon Gee, when asked if he considered firing Tressel.
March 30, 2011 - "I've never had that thought. That wouldn't be something that would jump in my mind unless there came that point in time where I said, 'You know what? The best thing for these kids is if I do,' and I don't feel that way." - Tressel, when asked if he considered resigning.
April 22, 2011 - The NCAA sends Ohio State a "notice of allegations" accusing Tressel of lying to investigators and failing to disclose possible NCAA violations to his compliance office and/or superiors.
May 6, 2011 - "We have nothing to believe a violation has occurred." - OSU director of compliance Doug Archie, responding to a Dispatch report that a number of OSU players and family members may have received improper discounts when buying used cars at a Columbus dealership.
May 30, 2011 - "After meeting with university officials, we agreed that it is in the best interest of Ohio State that I resign as head football coach. The appreciation that Ellen and I have for the Buckeye Nation is immeasurable." - Tressel, in a university-issued statement
May 30, 2011 - "In consultation with the senior leadership of the Board of Trustees, I have been actively reviewing matters attendant to our football program, and I have accepted Coach Tressel's resignation. The university's enduring public purposes and its tradition of excellence continue to guide our actions." - Gee, in the same statement.
May 30, 2011 - "We look forward to refocusing the football program on doing what we do best - representing this extraordinary university and its values on the field, in the classroom, and in life. We look forward to supporting Luke Fickell in his role as our football coach. We have full confidence in his ability to lead our football program." - Smith, in the same statement.
