COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jim Tressel, former head football coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Youngstown State University Penguins, was sworn in Friday to become the 67th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio.
Tressel, who most recently served as president of YSU, took the oath of office at 11:32 a.m. – with his wife, Ellen, by his side – during an inauguration ceremony at the Statehouse Rotunda. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Patrick DeWine administered the Oath of Office.
“This is home,” Tressel said, as he reminisced about his Ohio upbringing, his coaching career and the many things he is grateful for after taking the oath. “The chief interest in the decisions we make need to make sure that we’ve kept in mind the needs of all of our Ohioans.”
He then related questions from some of his friends, colleagues and members of the General Assembly who asked why Tressel thought he was qualified for the job.
“I don’t know,” Tressel answered rhetorically. “But I’ll promise you this. I can listen, I can learn, I can love,” he said, adding that he would apply all of the lessons he’s learned over the years from friends and mentors to the job. “I can apply them to see if I can be a part of an extraordinary team.”
In a surprise move Monday, Gov. Mike DeWine nominated Tressel to serve the remaining term of Jon Husted, who was appointed by the governor to the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by now U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
The Ohio General Assembly confirmed Tressel on Wednesday by a vote of 31-1 in the Senate and 68-27 in the House.
“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 told the large crowd gathered in the rotunda.
In his remarks, Tressel also paid homage to DeWine, underscoring the governor’s dedication to the people of Ohio and its future. “He truly is an inspiration,” he said of DeWine. “I want to be a part of that. I want to learn from him, and serve with him, and see where I could be helpful.”
“We have important unfinished business to address during the remainder of my administration,” DeWine said. “Jim Tressel will make our team stronger, and he will make me a better governor,” he said. “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.”