Tressel Named YSU’s Ninth President

Jim Tressel has accepted the offer to become Youngstown State University’s ninth president. His term will begin on July 1. Photo by Graig Graziosi/ The Jambar.

Former Youngstown State University football coach Jim Tressel has accepted the offer to become YSU’s ninth president, Board of Trustees chairman Sudershan Garg said.

After a 45-minute executive session, the Board unanimously voted to offer Tressel the position.

“The [Presidential Search Committee] and the Board believe he is the strongest candidate to lead the university in the remaining decade and perhaps beyond,” Garg said at a press conference. “He will be the most stable individual who is committed to YSU and to the region and will have the most support from the YSU community, state and federal legislators, people living in the valley and beyond. He is charismatic and a great communicator.”

Tressel is currently the executive vice president for Student Succes at the University of Akron, where he was also a finalist for the presidency. Garg said that the Board offered Tressel the job after voting Friday morning.

“He accepted in principle,” Garg said. “Everything is being worked on, so I can’t tell you the details until the contract is finalized.”

Garg also noted that the contract will be “updated for the times” and will include liquidation damages if Tressel exits his contract early.

Tressel also has penalties from the NCAA stemming from a controversy at Ohio State University, but Garg does not feel that it will affect the university.

“Nobody is perfect and has a completely clean slate. As long as you acknowledge and move on, we have to look at the positive strengths and aspects of the individual,” he said. ““I think the legal counsel looked at it and did not feel [his NCAA penalties] should have any bearing on the university.”

Tressel will sign his contract next week, Garg said, and will begin his term on July 1.