Former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel hasn’t shied away from politics over the past few months, that’s for sure.
Tressel coached at Ohio State from 2001-2010, winning 106 games and a national championship during this stretch. Most college football fans assumed he’d settle down as Youngstown State University’s president, but that all changed in February when he was appointed the lieutenant governor of Ohio.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine nominated Tressel to replace Jon Husted, who received the Senate seat that once belonged to Vice President JD Vance.
Earlier this month, Tressel said that he’d consider running for Ohio governor in 2026.
“What has been a surprise, and it has been humbling, is how many people are encouraging me to run for Governor,” Tressel said, via NBC News. “I have not decided yet, but when I became lieutenant governor in February, Ellen told me that it seemed like God had more work for me to do, and she was right.
“While I have not ruled out a run for Governor – and there will be a time in the future for those conversations – for now, I will remain focused on helping Ohioans get off the sidelines and into our workforce so they can reach their full potential.”
A few weeks later, Tressel provided an update on his political career.
NEW ORLEANS – JANUARY 07: Jim Tressel, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes walks the sidelines during the AllState BCS National Championship against the Louisiana State University Tigers on January 7, 2008 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Although the Republican Party has endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio, Tressel hasn’t given up on his potential bid.
Tressel told reporters Wednesday that he’s in “fact-finding” mode to determine if he should still run for governor.
“I spent about 11 years as an assistant football coach before I came to the conclusion, ‘Hey, maybe I could be a head coach,'” Tressel said. “After that world ended, I spent a couple years as a vice president and was studying a little bit, ‘I wonder if I could ever be a president.'”
Only time will tell if Tressel tries to succeed Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
Jim Tressel’s Made It Clear Which Way He Leans Politically
