COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jim Tressel, the former head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team, has been officially appointed as the next lieutenant governor of Ohio.

This confirmation took place on Wednesday, following separate votes in both the Senate and House where he was overwhelmingly supported: the Senate passed the nomination with a vote of 31-1, and the House followed suit with a 68-27 vote.

Tressel, who is 72 years old, fills the role vacated by Jon Husted, a fellow Republican, who was recently selected to occupy a U.S. Senate seat that was previously held by Vice President JD Vance. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has indicated that Tressel will focus on education and workforce development in his new position.

Before his appointment, Tressel retired in 2023 after serving as president of Youngstown State University, a role he had taken on in 2014. He also held the position of executive vice president for student success at the University of Akron in the past.

In an interview on Wednesday, Tressel reiterated his alignment with the Republican Party, declaring his support for President Donald Trump as he believes in supporting the elected leaders of the nation. Despite not having publicly shared his political viewpoints prior, Tressel expressed that he does not see himself as an entirely new face in politics.

“When people say you haven’t been in politics, I reply that I hope I’ve been in service my whole life,” Tressel stated. “I believe that’s been my path, and I recognize that’s what those who serve in government are all about.”

Tressel made his mark during his nearly ten-year tenure as the head coach for Ohio State’s football team, where he led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2002 and secured six Big Ten titles. His time at Ohio State ended under pressure in May 2011 following a scandal involving memorabilia exchanges for cash.

Since retiring from Youngstown State, Tressel has engaged in numerous projects, including his role on the board of Baldwin Wallace University, his alma mater, and efforts to align educational initiatives with workforce development in Ohio.

Additionally, he hosts a podcast titled “It’s All About the Team,” which he claims has been an enjoyable experience.

“I thought, there are countless leadership podcasts, but we don’t discuss teamwork enough, nor do we explore how to be better team members and how to build strong teams,” he remarked. Guests on his podcast have included authors, military figures, and professionals from various sectors, including healthcare and business.