Tressel gets indefinite contract as Youngstown State president
CLEVELAND — Former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel started his term as Youngstown State University’s president in 2014, first on a three-year contract and then one-year extensions. YSU’s trustees approved a contract, beginning July 2021, that will run indefinitely.
“We have accomplished much in seven years, but there’s more work to be done,” Tressel said in a news release. “We look forward to continue moving the university ahead on various fronts.”
Instead of renewals, Tressel’s contract will remain in place until the trustees decide to end it or he leaves. In both situations, there would need to be 180 days notice. Trustees also approved an extension for the head of YSU’s academic affairs, Brien Smith, whose contract now runs through 2025.
In January, Tressel was honored with being the namesake of the President James P. Tressel Endowed Chair in Leadership, which recognizes faculty or administrators.
“President Tressel’s influence has transformed the institution by raising its stature, reputation and significance to exceptional levels,” former YSU Foundation Chair Jocelyn Kolley Linsalata told WKBN.
YSU experienced an uptick in enrollment for the first time in five years under Tressel, according to the news release. The university also introduced an international student recruitment strategy in 2016 which boosted international student numbers 50% between 2016 and 2017.
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, enrollment dropped 3.2% for the fall of 2020. Negotiations over faculty contracts led to a strike for several days in October. YSU trustees approved negotiated contracts in November.
In a September interview with Mahoning Matters, Tressel said he is optimistic for the school’s financial future, pointing to a strategic plan developed over 18 months.
Tressel worked at the University of Akron for two years prior to beginning as YSU’s president. Tressel previously coached at YSU from 1985 to 2001, before heading to OSU as head coach. He resigned from OSU in 2011 in the midst of an NCAA investigation. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015.