COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a surprising political move, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced the nomination of former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel as the new lieutenant governor. This nomination follows the appointment of Jon Husted to the U.S. Senate last month.
Before his retirement in 2023, Tressel served as the president of Youngstown State University and has a long history in both education and athletics, having held significant roles at the University of Akron and Ohio State University. Governor DeWine emphasized that Tressel’s extensive experience in education, workforce, and economic development heavily influenced his decision to nominate him.
Governor DeWine expressed his confidence in Tressel’s capabilities, stating, “Jim has spent a great deal of time working with and leading young people, and he will be involved directly with education and workforce development during the remaining two years of my administration. Jim Tressel knows Ohio, he shares Ohio’s values, and is a born leader.”
In response to his nomination, Tressel acknowledged the significance of the role and his dedication to the Governor’s agenda. “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’s nomination must now be confirmed by the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives, a process that will determine if he indeed will step into this pivotal role.