Ohio State Paper, The Lantern, Calls For Jim Tressel's Dismissal

After it was revealed last week that Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel knew his players were involved the sale of memorabilia against NCAA rules, the coach was suspended for two games.

But a columnist at Ohio State's student newspaper, the Lantern, thinks that punishment is far too weak.

"The NCAA shouldn't suspend Jim Tressel for more than two games. It shouldn't fine him more than $250,000 dollars. It shouldn't bar him from spring practice and summer workouts," OSU student Grant Freking wrote. "After it finishes its investigation, the NCAA should recommend Jim Tressel's termination as head football coach at The Ohio State University."

Freking wrote that "this incident is further proof that college athletics is spinning out of control, and a message needs to be sent to university presidents and athletic directors who let rule-breaking coaches keep their jobs because they win games and sell tickets."

Freking also highlighted the dynamic of power between Tressel and the university's venerable president, E. Gordon Gee.

"When asked whether he considered firing Tressel, Gee gave a clear indication of who actually runs the university.

'No, are you kidding?' Gee said with a laugh. 'Let me be very clear: I'm just hoping the coach doesn't dismiss me.'"

The full thing is well worth a read. Check it out here. Do you think Tressel should be dismissed? Weigh in below.

This article originally stated that the players were involved in drug trafficking. In fact, they were implicated in the sale of Ohio State memorabilia to a local tattoo parlor that was the target of a federal drug-trafficking investigation.