sherm03;705716 wrote:The more I think about it...the more this seems like a very real possibility. I can see everything going down like this:
April Tressel gets the first email and sends it up to Smith. Smith says he'll look into it and sits on it thinking it's just some crazy whacko making them chase their tales. Two weeks later, the guy has even more detailed information. Tressel inquires about it with Smith, and finds that nothing has been done or is told that it's being taken care of. Fast forward to September, Tressel signs the paper saying that he has done his due diligence and reported all possible violations (because in his mind, sending the info to Smith would constitute that). December, the shit storm hits. Smith pulls him aside and confesses that he did not do anything with the emails, and tells Tressel not to mention them. January comes along, and they stumble upon the emails during a separate investigation. Now they have to do something with them. They begin their "two month investigation" where they basically figure out the best way to deal with these findings. Meanwhile, Yahoo forces their hand and makes them scramble to come to a decision. The choice is made to let Tressel take the fall, and get suspended for a few games so that the program as a whole (which would be punished if Smith was at fault) does not take the hit.
It would explain Tressel's half-assed excuse and swiss cheese filled reasoning. It would also explain why Tressel was cut off when he tried to answer the question about forwarding the email to anyone during the presser.
I have a feeling we're never going to know exactly what happened. But that scenario seems just about as plausible as any other at this point.
Sorry, I don't buy that at all. I realize most here love Coach Tressel and believe he is a great guy but I can't believe he is taking the "fall" for omissions made by Gene Smith or the Compliance Office. I don't care how much he loves the university or the program, he is not going to tarnish his reputation or legacy for anyone. Would you do it for your employer? Basically you theory went down as follows:
Gene Smith: Jim, can I talk to you for a second?
JT: Sure Gene, what's up?
Smith: Man, I f'd up Remember those emails you sent me back in April? I never acted on them and now we have failed to report them to the NCAA
JT: Golly gee willickers.
Smith: Look, uh, could you do me a favor? I think it would look better for the program if you just fess up to a mistake. We'll just say you were confused about who to report it to and whether you could report it all. What's more, we'll just say you were concerned about the players well being.
JT: mmmm...
Smith: Look, we're going to have to suspend you for two games and fine you $250K. We're also going to have to go in front of the media and gave a statement where you throw yourself under the bus to cover my ass. Sound ok?
( I am now inserting the part that would be the true world discussion if Gene Smith asked JT to do these things)
JT: Gene, I am sorry to hear about your mistakes. Can you excuse me for a second while I contact my lawyer? I'll call you back in an hour or so.
( an hour later)
Gene Smith: (phone rings) Gene Smith speaking.
Mr. Cheatum: Hello Mr. Smith. This is Mr. Cheatum calling, I am Jim Tressel's attorney. He has advised me of the discussion the two of you had this morning. I just wanted to give you the heads up my client will not be participating in the press conference this evening. Furthermore, you can expect to receive some paperwork which will be served by the Franklin County Sheriff later this week. Good day sir.