Coaching football in Ohio with the last name ‘Tressel’ is akin to trying politics in Massachusetts with the surname ‘Kennedy.’ You can almost imagine an athletic director in the job interview glancing at the name on the top of the rsum and trying his best Caddyshack impression: ‘Well you have that going for you, which is nice.’

But that’s what Mike Tressel – Cincinnati’s linebackers and special teams coach – does. He’s the nephew of Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel, who brought the school a national championship in 2002, its first since 1968. He also won four Division I-AA titles at Youngstown State.

Mike Tressel’s father, Dick, is the running backs coach at Ohio State. Mike Tressel’s grandfather, Lee, was the longtime head coach at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, where he’s the all-time winningest coach.

Needless to say, Mike Tressel shares good bloodlines.

‘There’s no question that people recognize my name,’ Tressel said. ‘When I’m introduced to people, they ask about my uncle first. The real football people also ask about my father and grandfather.’

But Tressel won’t let his lineage dictate his legacy. He finds different ways to distinguish himself, and with a Cornell degree and a sharp mind, uses technology as an edge. Coaching football might be the one profession where a Cornell education doesn’t necessarily impress employers, but the former mathematics major has applied what he learned by figuring out tendencies through untraditional technology.

‘It’s certainly a benefit because there’s so much technology that can be so useful,’ Tressel said. ‘I take pride in my education and academics. In this profession you look forward and not back. So you take a lot of steps. I guess (using technology) is one of them.’

Cincinnati head coach Mark Dantonio made Tressel one of his first hires when Dantonio left Ohio State’s defensive coordinator spot for the Bearcats’ top job. Dantonio worked with Tressel on the Buckeyes staff, where Tressel was a graduate assistant to his uncle.

That’s where Dantanio first became impressed with Tressel’s ‘infrastructure of technology and quality control.’

He also knew the weight the last name carried in fans’ and recruits’ eyes.

‘I don’t recognize it because when I see him, I see Mike,’ Dantonio said. ‘But his last name carries a little more clout in the state of Ohio.’

However, Tressel said that potential players enamored with the last name will end up playing for his uncle, with whom they’re more impressed. The benefit, though, is they’ll remember the Tressel name over the litany of figurative car salesmen that walk through the recruit’s door.

‘It is an advantage in Ohio, but I’m not recruiting for Ohio State,’ Tressel said. ‘Those kids that think it is a big deal, they want to go to Ohio State. Hopefully people recognize me and remember me. And sometimes you’re battling that. With so many coaches recruiting, everything helps.’

Tressel is only 31 years old and, like any young assistant, he hopes to run his own program one day. He has experience coaching all phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams – and insists that wherever he coaches, ‘you’re still coaching kids.’

And that’s the part that Tressel likes. He’s a coach; it’s in his blood. And like his father, uncle and grandfather, he ensures that the focus remains on the athletes.

‘My grandfather always said, ‘They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” Tressel said. ‘My father and uncle believe the same. You can know all the football you want, but it’s about what the players know on Saturday. They’re not going to learn from you and trust you until they know how much you care.’

Sweet Hart

Rutgers quarterback Ryan Hart threw for 207 yards in the Scarlet Knights’ 37-29 win over Pittsburgh on Friday night. The performance made Hart Rutgers’ all-time leading passer, eclipsing Scott Erney.

Considering Rutgers’ football history, the distinction ranks with being the most prestigious male graduate of Sarah Lawrence College.

But more important for Rutgers is Hart’s improved play. The senior is a four-year starter and has been one of the lynchpins of the program. And as his career is winding down, his play is turning up.

‘Ryan has grown as a quarterback in that he really understands what defenses are trying to do to us and he really understands his own game,’ Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said. ‘He’s such a great competitor that at times last year there wasn’t a ball that he didn’t think he could complete. But this year he’s been more prudent with his throw selections.’

Performer of the Week

Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

If Syracuse quarterback Perry Patterson should keep any number in mind when SU plays UConn on Friday, it’s cornerback Darius Butler’s No. 28. The freshman burst onto the scene against Army on Saturday, intercepting three passes and returning one for a touchdown. He accumulated 122 return yards, second-most in Big East history. West Virginia’s Vann Washington recorded 172 yards against Louisiana Tech in 1994.

Game to Watch

West Virginia at Rutgers, Saturday, noon

Both the Mountaineers and the Scarlet Knights have one Big East win, tying them with South Florida at the top of the Big East standings. With the Bulls idle, the winner of Saturday’s game will claim sole possession of first place. The Mountaineers are coming off a 31-17 loss to No. 3 Virginia Tech, while Rutgers is hot after beating Pittsburgh. The Mountaineers are favored, but if there was ever a time for Rutgers faithful to proudly don scarlet and white, it’s Saturday.

Around the Conference

Butler’s performance earned him Big East Defensive Player of the Week. Louisville’s Michael Bush took the offensive honors, rushing for 208 yards and three touchdowns in a 61-10 win over Army on Saturday. Rutgers’ Willie Foster was the top special teams player after returning a punt for a touchdown. … Just a month after winning Big East Offensive Player of the Week, Cincinnati quarterback Dustin Grutza might be demoted. His poor performance, along with impressive reserve duty from Nick Davila, has head coach Mark Dantonio closely evaluating the quarterbacks this week. … Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick might be a Heisman Trophy candidate, but don’t expect a lot of support from West Virginia. Vick made an obscene gesture to the Mountaineer crowd during the Hokies’ win on Saturday. Vick apologized in a written statement on Monday.

Published on October 4, 2005 at 12:00 pm