COLUMBUS, Ohio —During a ceremony in the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse on Friday, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Patrick DeWine officially swore in Jim Tressel as Ohio’s 67th lieutenant governor.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine nominated Tressel last week to replace Ohio’s previous lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, who is now serving in the U.S. Senate. The Ohio General Assembly confirmed Tressel’s nomination last Wednesday.
“We have important unfinished business to address during the remainder of my administration; Jim Tressel will make our team stronger, and he will make me a better governor,” said Governor DeWine. “Jim has been a strong and inspiring leader in every job he has ever had. As a coach, as an administrator, and as president of Youngstown State University for nine years, Jim has always excelled. He is a man of great integrity who knows and loves Ohio and has a real passion for helping young people.”
Tressel enjoyed a successful career as a college football coach. Having served as an assistant coach at the University of Akron, Miami University, Syracuse, and The Ohio State University, Lt. Governor Tressel was named YSU head football coach in 1986. In January 2001, he became the head football coach at Ohio State, guiding the Buckeyes to seven Big Ten championships and the 2002 National Championship.
Tressel graduated from Berea High School in suburban Cleveland, received a bachelor’s degree in education from Baldwin-Wallace College, and a master’s degree in education from the University of Akron.
An accomplished businesswoman and philanthropist, Second Lady Ellen Tressel is a graduate of YSU. She remains actively engaged in charitable causes and community organizations in cities where she and Jim have built careers and raised their family. The Tressels have four children – Zak, Carlee, Eric, and Whitney – along with their grandchildren, whom they say are their pride and joy.
