COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former Ohio State football coach and university president Jim Tressel was sworn in Thursday as Ohio’s 67th lieutenant governor, marking a new chapter in his career as he transitions from education and athletics into public office.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Patrick DeWine administered the oath of office in a ceremony at the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse. Tressel replaces Jon Husted, who vacated the position after winning a seat in the U.S. Senate.

A high-profile nomination

Tressel, 71, was nominated by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine earlier this week, and his confirmation was swiftly approved by the Ohio General Assembly on Wednesday.

“We have important unfinished business to address during the remainder of my administration; Jim Tressel will make our team stronger, and he will make me a better governor,” DeWine said in a statement. “Jim has been a strong and inspiring leader in every job he has ever had. As a coach, as an administrator, and as president of Youngstown State University for nine years, Jim has always excelled. He is a man of great integrity who knows and loves Ohio and has a real passion for helping young people.”

For Tressel, the transition into state government builds on his longtime focus on education and leadership.

“I’m totally humbled and excited to be here on Valentine’s Day, which is also Woody Hayes’ birthday. It doesn’t get much better than that,” Tressel said after taking the oath of office. “Governor DeWine has spent an entire lifetime making a difference in the Buckeye State. I want to be part of that. I want to learn from him, serve with him, and see where I can be helpful.”

A career rooted in leadership

Tressel is best known for his time as head football coach at Ohio State University, where he led the Buckeyes to seven Big Ten championships and a national title in 2002. He previously coached at Youngstown State University (YSU), where he won four Division I-AA national championships before taking over the Buckeyes’ program in 2001.

After leaving coaching in 2011, he transitioned into academic administration, serving as president of Youngstown State from 2014 to 2023. During his tenure, YSU saw rising graduation rates, increased freshman class quality, and record fundraising efforts. Under his leadership, the Honors College expanded from 300 to more than 1,200 students.

Tressel’s background in education and workforce development aligns with the DeWine administration’s focus on expanding career training opportunities for Ohioans. As lieutenant governor, he is expected to play a role in higher education policy and workforce initiatives.

From football fields to government halls

Tressel, a Cleveland-area native, earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education before beginning his coaching career. His wife, Ellen Tressel, is a businesswoman and philanthropist who remains active in community initiatives. The couple has four children and several grandchildren.

While his tenure as Ohio State’s football coach ended amid a high-profile NCAA violation scandal, Tressel has since rebuilt his reputation as a leader in education. Now, he takes on a new challenge—helping to shape policy in the final two years of the DeWine administration.

His exact responsibilities as lieutenant governor have yet to be outlined, but his appointment signals an emphasis on education and workforce development in the administration’s priorities.