Jim Tressel Stepping Down As Youngstown State President Next Year

Youngstown State President and former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel announced Wednesday that he will step down from his post as president on Feb. 1, 2023.

Tressel returned to Youngstown State in 2014 after leading the school’s football program from 1986-2000, amassing 135-57-2 record with the Penguins and winning four NCAA Division I-AA Championships.

“It has been truly a blessing and labor of love to serve Youngstown State University,” Tressel said in a release. “I cannot thank my family enough for allowing my schedule, and the needs of our university, to take priority and center stage. It is now only fair to have Ellen, our wonderful children and grandchildren, extended family, friends and former students, set the schedule.”

After coaching at Youngstown State, Tressel – who served as an assistant coach with the Buckeyes from 1983-85 – returned to Ohio State in 2001 to become the program’s 22nd head coach. In his 10 seasons as Ohio State’s head coach, he finished with a 106-22 record, winning seven conference championships and a national championship in 2002.

“It has been truly a blessing and labor of love to serve Youngstown State University in a number of capacities, and we will continue to do so, in whatever fashion that the YSU Board of Trustees sees fit,” Tressel said in a letter to YSU staff and students.