Former Ohio State football coach and former Youngstown State president, Jim Tressel, has officially become Ohio’s 67th lieutenant governor. He took the oath of office in a ceremony at the Statehouse on Friday morning, surrounded by hundreds of officeholders, family members, and guests—including some of his former players.
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine, son of Governor Mike DeWine, administered the oath. During his nearly 20-minute speech, delivered without notes or a teleprompter, Tressel expressed gratitude toward his family, friends, and new colleagues.
“I’m completely humbled and excited. Here we are on Valentine’s Day, Woody Hayes’ birthday. It doesn’t get much better than that,” Tressel remarked.
He also shared his perspective on the responsibilities ahead.
“We all have many technical tasks—budgets, policies, and more—but our primary focus must be on the well-being and future of Ohioans,” Tressel said. “Sometimes, that may not align with personal interests or needs, but our decisions should always prioritize what’s best for the people of Ohio.”
Acknowledging his limited direct experience for the role, Tressel emphasized his strengths in listening, caring, and applying lessons from others.
He was introduced by U.S. Senator Jon Husted, who previously held the position before being appointed to the Senate to replace Vice President JD Vance.
Bruce Johnson, a former lieutenant governor under Governor Bob Taft, served as the event’s emcee. Johnson had stepped into the role in 2005 after Jeannette Bradley was appointed treasurer, following the resignation of Joe Deters. Bradley had originally run as Taft’s lieutenant governor in 2004 after his first lieutenant governor, Maureen O’Connor, was elected chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.
