Jim Tressel named vice president for strategic engagement at University of Akron

AKRON, Ohio - Former Ohio State University head football coach Jim Tressel has a new job.

Tressel, a Youngstown, Ohio native, will serve as an administrator at the University of Akron, the school announced Thursday.

His new title is "vice president for strategic engagement".

The announcement was made by U. of Akron President Luis Proenza during a Thursday morning news conference on campus. Tressel did not wear his typical sweater vest to the event. Instead, he wore a suit and a yellow tie with kangaroos on it.

"It’s always important where you are and to come back to the place that gave you your first chance,” said Tressel during the news conference.

“I think you have to really reflect on what’s important to you. My intentions have always been to help young people," he said. "I’ll be coaching every day. Coaching is serving. That’s not out of my blood. Out on the field, that’s probably out of it."

Tressel said his commitment is to the University of Akron.

"I’m gonna work as if this is the last place I’m ever going to work,” Tressel said.

The school told WCPO sister station NewsChannel5 Tressel will make about $200,000 per year and will start May 1.

NewsChannel5 Sports Director Andy Baskin first reported Wednesday that sources told him Tressel was taking a non-athletic role at the school, possibly as an administrator like a vice president.

Tressel was forced to resign as coach of Ohio State's football team last May amid a scandal that involved an NCAA investigation into rules violations. This year he worked as a video review coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts.  He met with Colts owner Jim Irsay about the team's head coaching position but didn't get the job.