Ohio State athletics director Andy Geiger and associate AD Archie Griffin have done an exhaustive search for who would best serve the needs of The Ohio State University football program right now. They looked at the NFL and college football all across the country for someone who could not only compete on the field and win championships, but someone who could also return class and dignity to the program.

Because of the success of many players who come out of OSU, it has lately been regarded as an NFL factory. They wanted someone who wanted to make Ohio State the magical, special place it once was -- and they believe Jim Tressel is the right man for the job. Tressel will continue an effort to encourage individual success, but it will also be imperative to not allow individual success get ahead of the team goals.

Tressel was an assistant at Ohio State in the mid-80s and is familiar with the demands of the program. He grew up in Ohio and has a strong allegiance to the state. The people of Ohio appear to support the decision; they wanted to see a former Buckeye get the job. People have been assuming for years that Tressel would one day get an opportunity for the Ohio State job when it became available. Tressel has been successful at second-tier Youngstown State. Now he's being given a chance to see if he can succeed at the next -- very demanding -- level.