UPDATED: This story was updated at 3:12 p.m. with comments from Tressel and more detail on his background.
COLUMBUS — Ohio governor Mike DeWine has announced former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel as his choice to be the state’s next lieutenant governor.
The surprising selection was announced at a press conference Monday. Tressel’s name will next be sent to the state senate for confirmation.
“My criteria, No. 1, the most important thing is someone who could serve as governor if something were to happen to me over the next 100 weeks,” DeWine said. “Second, I want someone who can really contribute.”
A new lieutenant governor was needed when Jon Husted left the post to assume the role as state senator. That position was vacant when J.D. Vance was elected vice president on president Donald Trump’s ticket.
Tressel’s name is familiar to any sports fan. The 72-year-old coached Youngstown State to four national championships and Ohio State to a national title in 2002. Tressel resigned from Ohio State just before Memorial Day in 2011 following an NCAA probe.
He served as president at Youngstown State from 2014 to 2023. However, Tressel has no political experience.
“He shares my values,” DeWine said. “He has the ability to pull people together.”
DeWine said Tressel’s background in education and workforce development helped him make the decision.
“I wanted someone who knew Ohio,” DeWine said.
The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) congratulated Tressel on his nomination.
“Governor DeWine’s choice to nominate Jim Tressel as Lt. Governor is a win for Ohio and a win for Ohio manufacturing,” OMA stated. “From his success as a football coach, in academia, and in workforce development, Jim Tressel knows Ohio.
“The OMA congratulates Jim Tressel on his nomination of Lt. Governor and looks forward to the continued work of protecting and growing Ohio’s number one industry; manufacturing!”
Tressel served 15 years as the head coach of Youngstown State University’s football team before becoming head football coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes for 10 seasons.
After leaving Ohio State, he served as executive vice president for student success at the University of Akron.
“This is really a humbling moment,” Tressel said. “I believe in our governor and what he believes in. I promised for the next 699 days to have a singleness of purpose and singleness of focus, which is to serve the needs that the governor outlines.”
Tressel must be confirmed by the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives to attain the position of lieutenant governor.