Apparently, the price of tattoos has gone up.
Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel stepped down yesterday, in the wake of a tattoo-parlor scandal. Assistant coach Luke Fickell will take over as interim coach for the Buckeyes next season. In 2002, Tressel led the Buckeyes to their first national title in 34 years.
“After meeting with university officials, we agreed that it is in the best interest of Ohio State that I resign as head football coach,” Tressel said in a statement released by the university. “The appreciation that [wife] Ellen and I have for the Buckeye Nation is immeasurable.”
Tressel’s resignation — first reported by The Columbus Dispatch — comes three months after the university called a news conference to announce a five-game suspension and $250,000 fine for the longtime coach.
Five players from this year’s team, including QB Terrelle Pryor, traded memorabilia for cash and tattoos. Tressel admitted to knowing about the infractions, yet didn’t advise university officials. The coach had been scheduled to appear before the NCAA’s infractions committee Aug. 12.
