As Ohio continues to battle the coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Mike DeWine has earned no shortage of praise for his response.
Among those touting the work of DeWine is one of the state's most famous figures, Jim Tressel.
Appearing on 850 WKNR's The Really Big Show on Monday morning, the former Ohio State head coach and current Youngstown State president discussed his home state's response to the coronavirus. And in doing so, he wasn't shy to credit DeWine, as well as Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton.
“Governor DeWine has been a great leader. Lt. Governor Husted, I was just on the phone with him last night for 45 minutes about an innovator who has some thoughts," Tressel said. "Those two have done an amazing job and you can’t leave out Dr. Amy Acton from that discussion. She’s a proud Youngstown State grad.
"Those three leaders have shown us that this urgent, this is serious, but we can do it. It’s the responsibility of all of us. I think they’ve had just the right blend of mandate but helping us all understand that you should feel good about being part of the solution.”
As of Monday, Ohio has had 4,450 confirmed coronavirus cases, 1,214 of which have resulted in hospitalization, 371 ICU admissions and 142 deaths. Dating back to the discovery of the state's first positive coronavirus case on March 9, DeWine has taken several measures to encourage physical distancing, including a stay-at-home order that is currently in place until at least May 1.
As for how the coronavirus has affected Tressel's current role as YSU's president, the 5-time national champion noted that the attendance in class has actually been up since the university moved to online learning. But just because he's now working remotely, that hasn't stopped Tressel from wearing the same signature sweater vest that he donned during his coaching career and post-football life.
"That reminds me that I’m going to work," Tressel said of the sweater vest. "Whenever I put that sweater vest on it’s game time! This one happens to have a 'Y' on it."