“Time and change” are two key words in the alma mater of The Ohio State University, Carmen Ohio. Unfortunately, too many alumni, fans, and critics skip right past these words to belt out the last few syllables, O-HI-O. Also unfortunately, many alumni, fans, and critics forget about “time” and only want “change” whenever the football team experiences setbacks.
Ten years ago, the Buckeyes made a change and took a chance on a coach from Division 1AA Youngstown State in Jim Tressel. I clearly recall many fans and critics calling for the hiring of Glenn Mason, former OSU assistant. .”What does this Coach Tressel know about coaching in the Big Ten? He’s never been the head coach at a huge program. What does he know about being a Buckeye?”
Almost two years to the day Tressel was named head coach of The Ohio State University Football Team, he was laying lips on the Sears Trophy, awarded to the National Champion. Not too much noise was heard from the critics and doubters because their mouths were full of crow sandwiches. These same critics were later seen dressed in their fines sweater vests and gray rimmed glasses. In their eyes, Jim Tressel could do no wrong.
Prior to the start of training camp for this year’s Buckeyes, they faced down several encumbrances that no team expects heading into the preseason. This team lost their head coach, seven starters on defense, and their starting quarterback, who by the way accounted for 70 percent of their offense. Ask yourself this question. What would have happened to that 2001 Buckeyes team had Jim Tressel been faced with those circumstances?
Fortunately he wasn’t. However, Luke Fickell is facing this exact situation. However, Luke Fickell does not have the luxury of a long term contract; he doesn’t even have a two year contract. Ohio State gave Luke a glorified 12 game audition. He is a carpenter working with a leftover set of tools. Like Bill Parcells, he has been asked to cook the meal without having had the chance to shop for the groceries.
If Ohio State wants the collateral damage of “Tattoo Gate” to truly minimize, in fairness to the players, the team, and to Luke Fickell, the university must be patient enough to allow the former 50 game starter the TIME AND CHANCE to surely grow.
The outcome of this season is very well pre-determined on the effort and abilities of the players that make up this year’s team. Whomever is steering the ship, the boat is the boat. Jim Tressel was not Dumbledore the Wizard. He was a hell of a coach who worked with the hand he was dealt. How is this any different from the current Wizard who holds the wand now? Not a bit.
Buckeye Nation, SETTLE DOWN. I think I have earned the right to ask such a request and Luke Fickell has earned the right to have this request honored. It’s a long season and let him figure it out, just like we did for the Vest. Give him the time about which we sing before you look to make a change you might later regret.
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