YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Gov. Mike DeWine’s selection of Jim Tressel to serve as lieutenant governor is a surprising decision that bodes well for the Mahoning Valley and the state.
Tressel, a Republican, has long been the subject of speculation that one day he would run for the U.S. Senate or governor. Now the political guessing game is whether he will try to succeed DeWine in 2026. No doubt he would get the votes of the many Ohioans he impressed when he stepped onto the field at Stambaugh Stadium in 1986, then Ohio Stadium (as head coach) in 2001.
Although Tressel’s first season at YSU ended with a disappointing 2-9 record, the following year he guided the Penguins to a first-round playoff appearance. Four seasons later, he coached the team to the first of four 1-AA national titles, cementing his place in the hearts of this community. At the same time, he made education a priority for his players.
After Tressel left for the head coaching job at Ohio State University, he maintained his connections to the Mahoning Valley, making personal appearances to benefit charitable organizations and personally donating to the Watson & Tressel – or WATTS – Center at Youngstown State University.
When he returned to YSU in 2014 as president, he built on established relationships in the business community and placed special emphasis on workforce development. YSU’s Excellence Training Center, which opened in 2021, prepares students of all ages for diverse careers in manufacturing. The center also focuses on research and development around advanced manufacturing, automation and robotics. Tressel has stated that workforce development will be one of his priorities as lieutenant governor.
During his time as YSU president, the university’s We See Tomorrow campaign raised a record $126 million, which many credit to Tressel’s leadership.
Last year, his leadership was instrumental in the formation of Lake to River Economic Development, the new JobsOhio partner that represents Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties.
We look forward to Jim Tressel’s next playbook.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Over the past year, Jim Tressel has shared his insights on leadership and invited others to share theirs on his “It’s All About the Team” podcast. The podcast is produced by The Business Journal.