When Ohio State opens the 2026 season against Ball State on September 5, the Horseshoe will add a new name to its C-Deck Ring of Honor.
Jim Tressel, who coached the Buckeyes from 2001 to 2010, will become just the third coach enshrined in Ohio Stadium history, joining legends Paul Brown and Woody Hayes. He’s also the first addition to the Ring since quarterback Troy Smith was honored in 2014.
His resume speaks for itself, as Tressel went 9-1 against Michigan, won six Big Ten titles, appeared in the BCS National Championship Game three times, including delivering Ohio State its first national title in over three decades with a 14-0 run capped by a 31-24 double-overtime win over top-ranked Miami in the 2002 season. His teams made a bowl every year and played in eight BCS games total.
Lt. Governor, Jim Tressel Set to be Enshrined in Ohio Stadium Ring of Honor 🏟️
Tressel, Will be honored at Ohio State’s season opener on Sept. 5 inside Ohio Stadium 🌰
@LtGovJimTressel | @OhioStAthletics pic.twitter.com/8TGTRtATAS— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) June 23, 2026
He also developed 67 NFL Draft picks, 14 first-rounders, and a Heisman Trophy winner in Troy Smith. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Athletics Director Ross Bjork honored the Buckeye legend by saying, “Jim Tressel’s impact on Ohio State is long-lasting and still ever-present on our campus. He is not only one of the most accomplished coaches in our school’s history, but in the entire history of college football. What truly sets him apart is the way he led, taught, and served others.”
Ryan Day echoed the same thread. “Coach Tressel’s success on the field was remarkable, but what stands out most to me is how he invested in people. He understood that coaching is much more than the game as it is about developing leaders, building character, and preparing young men for the challenges they’ll face in life after football.”
Tressel, who is beloved by so many, also shared about the honor. “Growing up in Ohio, Ohio Stadium was about as special a place as there could be for a Buckeye fan,” he said. “I grew up admiring Paul Brown and Woody Hayes, and they both meant so much to our family. To be recognized alongside these men is truly humbling.”
Since leaving Columbus, Tressel has served as President of Youngstown State University and Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor, evidence that his investment in people never stopped, it just changed venues. Through the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, he’s still doing what he’s always done: developing young people mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Coach Tressel’s honor is on September 5, as Ohio State hosts Ball State in its season opener with kickoff set for 12:30 p.m. on BTN.
Blake Biscardi serves as Co-Founder, Lead Reporter, and Senior Editor of The Silver Bulletin. He hosts the Buckeye Cadence podcast, where he breaks down Ohio State football and basketball with an inside look into the programs. Covering Julian Sayin in New York City in 2025 was his Heisman moment, which became a viral moment in its own right. Biscardi is a member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and has degrees in Business Administration and Strategic Communication & Leadership.