In a stunning move, Gov. Mike DeWine nominated Jim Tressel, the retired Youngstown State University president and a former football coach, as lieutenant governor.

Tressel, a longtime Republican who has never held or run for elected office before, admitted Monday that DeWine’s offer “was a surprise for sure. But I’ve always enjoyed working with decision-makers in the state.”

DeWine, a fellow Republican, said he first met with Tressel on Feb. 1 to gauge his interest. Tressel said he called his wife, Ellen.

Tressel, 72, said he told his wife, “You’re not going to believe this but the governor thinks that we’d be capable of being helpful and wants us to consider this and she said, ‘It sounds like God has more work for you to do.'”

Being nominated for lieutenant governor, Tressel said, “Is really a humbling moment. I believe in our governor and what he believes in. I promise for the next 699 days to have a singleness of purpose and a singleness of focus, which is to serve the needs that the governor outlines.”

DeWine made the surprise announcement Monday in Columbus with Tressel by his side.

“I’m going to work like crazy to learn all I can learn and contribute all I can contribute and I’m excited,” Tressel said.

The state House and Senate have to confirm the lieutenant governor appointment. The confirmation by the Republican-controlled state Legislature is expected to go smoothly.

The position opened when DeWine appointed Jon Husted, his former lieutenant governor, to an open seat in the U.S. Senate on Jan. 17.

Shortly after that, DeWine interviewed several candidates to succeed Husted, including a number of his cabinet members. DeWine, who often keeps decisions like this close to the vest, never indicated that Tressel was even a consideration.

DeWine said he wanted a lieutenant governor who could succeed him during the final 22-plus months he has as governor if that is needed, someone who could contribute to the state and be a leader.

“I want someone who shared my vision for Ohio,” DeWine said. “I want someone who would focus on education, someone who would focus on workforce.”

DeWine added: “He has the requisite skill sets. He has the criteria that I outlined. He knows Ohio. Jim Tressel, I trust his judgment. He’s a born leader. “

DeWine said Tressel will be “involved directly with education and workforce development during the remaining two years of my administration.”

Tressel was asked if he would run next year for governor, when the seat opens. Before he could answer, DeWine said, “We’ve had no discussion about that. I asked Jim to sign up for a little less than two years. That’s been our focus. We’ve had no discussions on anything else.”

Because of his popularity statewide, Tressel’s name has come up as a potential political candidate over the years. If Tressel entered next year’s gubernatorial race, it would upend the Republican primary that already includes Attorney General Dave Yost with Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur with close ties to President Donald Trump, expected to announce his candidacy shortly.

Dr. Amy Acton, DeWine’s former health director during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, has declared a bid to run next year as the Democratic nominee for governor.

Mahoning County Republican Party Chairman Tom McCabe said the governor’s selection of Tressel “came out of nowhere, but it is a great choice. Who knows Ohio better or this area better than Jim Tressel? It has the potential to benefit this area.”

As for Tressel running for governor, McCabe said, “That would be intriguing. I don’t know his plans. That would be an exciting possibility. We’ll see what the next two years hold. His name has been floated for years as a senator or congressman. It would be an exciting possibility to have him run for governor.”

Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber, said DeWine made a “spectacular choice” in selecting Tressel as lieutenant governor.

“Tressel has for a long time been engaged in public policy and has very effective ideas,” Coviello said. “It does the Mahoning Valley a lot of good to have someone with Youngstown in his heart serve as lieutenant governor. I look forward to working closely with him as lieutenant governor as I did when he was university president.”

Coviello also encouraged Tressel to run next year for governor.

“It would be a great idea,” he said.

Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Anderson said that Tressel “is too good a human being to sell his soul to the MAGA extremists to win a GOP primary. That’s how you can tell this is a caretaker appointment and that he isn’t going to run for governor. I urge President Tressel to not forget the Mahoning Valley in the Columbus swamp and wish him the best of luck in his new role.”

Trumbull County Democratic Chairman Mark Alberini said he was “surprised” by the announcement.

He said: “I have a lot of respect for Jim Tressel as a football coach and president of a university. I don’t necessarily know how those translate to being a lieutenant governor, but we’ll find out. He has strong leadership abilities. He’s a man of character and integrity, which I think are great characteristics we sorely need in Ohio.”

U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled that Jim Tressel has been nominated to be our next lieutenant governor. As president of Youngstown State, Jim brought transformative, generational changes to the Mahoning Valley. He’s one of our own. His unmatched leadership, approachability and relentless drive make him one of the finest administrators in the country. I have no doubt he will continue to inspire and lead Ohio to new heights.”

Tressel was hired by YSU to be its head football coach for the 1986 season and led the team to four Division 1-AA national championships through 2000, when he was hired to be head coach of the Ohio State University football team. During his time at Ohio State, the team won a national title in 2002 and seven Big Ten championships.

Tressel resigned in 2011 after the university’s football program got caught up in an NCAA investigation involving players selling memorabilia for tattoos.

After serving as a vice president at the University of Akron, Tressel returned to YSU as its president, starting the job May 2014. He retired in February 2023.

Bill Johnson, YSU president, said: “Jim Tressel’s legacy as a leader, educator and community builder has had an immeasurable impact on both Youngstown and the state of Ohio.”

Johnson, a Republican who resigned as a congressman after 11 years to become YSU president in January 2024, said, “Throughout his distinguished career, Jim has proven time and time again his exceptional ability to build and lead teams, bring together diverse groups of people to achieve common goals. His passion for the Youngstown community, along with his vision for a stronger, more united region, has continued to drive positive change.”

Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, a Democrat who worked closely with Tressel, said: “It’s a real big win for the Valley and the city of Youngstown. We’ve got a relationship with him. He’s got a front seat and the ear of the governor to talk about things happening in the Valley such as infrastructure, education and the innovation hub. He can be a great cheerleader for our area and he’s been actively involved in helping to get things done in the Valley.”