What's with the Buckeyes?

For the third time in the last week or so an Ohio State University football player was arrested. This time it was Defensive lineman Tim Schafer being cited for disorderly conduct after a fight outside a local bar. Previously, running back Erik Haw was charged with possession of marijuana. A week before that kicker Jonathan Skeete was arrested for selling marijuana to an undercover police officer.

I have been a strong backer of coach Jim Tressell. However, the cumulative effect of all the allegations will end up tainting his reputation. I'm not in any way excusing the players. They are (borderline) adults and should not have committed the offenses they are charged with and should be prosecuted and suspended from the team. I acknowledge that no coach can monitor his players 24 hours a day. However, leadership is about motivating people to do what they wouldn't do otherwise. At some point, we have to wonder about Tressell's ability to convince his players to obey the law and stay out of trouble. He was brought in partly to clean up the teams image in the wake of a slew of players getting in trouble under previous coach John Cooper. Cooper not only didn't control the players but he also lost to Michigan and whichever team they met in bowl games. Tressell is beating Michigan but nothing has changed on the police blotter. He needs to send a strong message to the players that inappropriate conduct will result in a loss of their scholarship.