Gov. Mike DeWine picked a famous political newcomer on Monday to be Ohio’s next lieutenant governor.
DeWine announced that he plans to appoint Jim Tressel, a former Ohio State University head football coach. He takes over for Jon Husted, who resigned last month when DeWine appointed him to a vacant seat in the U.S. Senate that used to be held by Vice President JD Vance.
Tressel, who retired as president of Youngstown State University in 2023, told reporters it came as a surprise when DeWine offered him the job. He admitted to knowing little about the inner workings of state government.
“I’ve always enjoyed working kind of in this arena, and I’m going to work like crazy to try to learn all I can learn and contribute all I can contribute,” Tressel said.
DeWine said he picked Tressel because of his background as an educator and community leader. Despite his lack of direct experience, Tressel is someone who could step into his shoes if necessary, given his experience interacting with state education, business and political leaders, DeWine said. He added Tressel has advised him occasionally and contributed good ideas.
Under state law, the lieutenant governor becomes governor if the governor resigns or dies in office. Tressel’s appointment still needs confirmation from the state legislature, but there’s no indication that lawmakers will oppose him.
[UPDATE, 2/13: The Ohio House and Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Tressel’s nomination. A single Senate Democrat, and 27 House Democrats voted “no,” while all Republicans voted yes. Tressel will be sworn into office on Friday.]
“He has the skills. He will enable me to be assured that if something happens to me, he can walk in and become governor that day,” DeWine said.
DeWine said he hasn’t yet decided what Tressel’s role will be, but said promoting physical fitness could be a component. Under state law, lieutenant governors have few formal responsibilities but governors traditionally have assigned them to run a state department. Husted oversaw state efforts involving modernizing state government and was a top adviser on economic development issues.
Tressel, 72, is best known for coaching the Ohio State football team from 2001 to 2011. He resigned following a scandal involving players receiving free tattoos. Collegiate sports policy at the time forbid players from receiving money or items of value. He later became president of Youngstown State in 2014 and retired in 2023.
Tressel will remain lieutenant governor through 2026, when DeWine will leave office due to term limits. Multiple Republicans are expected to run for governor, including state Attorney General Dave Yost and Columbus-area billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy.
Tressel wouldn’t say whether he plans to run for elected office himself.
“We’ve had no discussion about that,” DeWine said. “I asked Jim to sign up for less than two years [the remainder of DeWine’s term] and we’ve had no discussion beyond that.”
