Football
Tressel Says Browns Job Not on His Mind, Pittman Says He's Staying at OSU
By John Porentas

Jim Tressel
Photo by Jim Davidson

Last week the Cleveland Plain Dealer floated a speculative item in which they conjectured that OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel might be interested in the Browns coaching position if it were available. In the article, it was speculated that because of his Northeastern Ohio roots, the Browns' job might be the only NFL job that Tressel would consider.

Some Buckeye fans seemed to have missed the conjecture part of that column, and began to fret that Tressel was seriously considering a departure from Columbus at the end of the season.

On Tuesday, Tressel himself put most of that speculation to rest.When asked, Tressel said he could think of no reason why he would make a move to the NFL. When a reporter suggested that the Browns might lure him with money and a contract, Tressel responded "I've got money, and I've got a contract."

Beyond those issues is the issue that Tressel sees himself as more-than a football coach. He sees himself as a teacher as well, and that is role that would definitely leave his life if he were to leave the college ranks for the NFL.

"I do consider myself a teacher, and love the collegiate environment, I've been in it virtually my whole life. We moved to Baldwin-Wallace when I was five, so nearly 50 years I've been in this environment and happen to like it," Tressel said.

Antonio Pittman
Photo by Jim Davidson

The other rumor-mill item that was addressed on Tuesday is Antonio Pittman's intentions with regards to his senior season. There has been speculation that Pittman would forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft. The speculation centers around the assertions that it is a weak year for running backs in the NFL, and that Pittman is worried that Chris Wells will take some of his carries next season, thereby lowering his draft value. Pittman dismissed both of those notions.

"No, this is not going to be my last year. I'm positive," said Pittman when asked.

"There are a lot of things I haven't accomplished here.

"Honestly, I want to win a Heisman Trophy, that's the ultimate goal, to bring one to Akron. I thought that even before I came here. That was a big thing with me coming here. That's something I've always dreamed about winning it," said Pittman.

Pittman has been overshadowed in the media by his two high-profile teammates, Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr. What has been lost is that he is on track to be in the top-three running backs in career rushing ever at Ohio State. The fact that nobody seems to be noticing what he is accomplishing is not lost on Pittman.

"I did look at that," Pittman said.

"That would probably be the quietest top-three rushers in Ohio State history. I've been around some good players who deserve every bit of credit that they get, but it will be the quietest top-three ever," Pittman laughed.

Pittman did acknowledge that if it looked like he would be a first-round pick he would have to consider the NFL draft, but was adamant that he would not leave for the NFL simple because he thought somebody like Wells was coming along behind him that might decrease his future draft status. According to Pittman, he is looking forward to forming a potent tandem with Wells.

"What we want to be is the best one-two punch in the nation," said Pittman.

"That's not going to influence my decision. The competition is not what would influence my decision. Not at all, not at all. Beanie is a good back, and him being from my home town that makes it even more competition," said Pittman.

Despite the competition for playing time, Pittman says that he and Wells have become good friends, and share time together when they are back home in Akron. That has made for some very interesting exchanges when the two are out in public together.

"Everywhere you go you have people from his side of town telling him to take the spot, people on my side of town telling me to hold on to it," said Pittman

"We go somewhere in Akron (like to a mall) and people know who I am and they don't know that's him. They say stuff to me about him in front of him, they don't know it's me with him and they say stuff about me. That happens a whole lot like in a mall or something. Somebody says something to me about him and I say 'He's right here, say it to him,'" Pittman grinned.

Pittman says that is at two-way street, because when they are on Wells' side of town together, the very same thing happens in reverse.

"'Take the spot," said Pittman describing the kind of things Wells' fans say to him in Akron.

"'Pittman isn't even from around here on our side of town' and I'm right there. He tells them 'Tell him, he's right here.' We live with it,'" Pittman said.

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