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Suspensions
Ohio State suspends Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, and Solomon Thomas for the first five games of the 2011 season after they were found guilty of NCAA violations for selling memorabilia and awards for improper benefits, including tattoos. The university, however, allows the fiver players to participate in the 2011 Sugar Bowl. -
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Scandal
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Ohio State wins Sugar Bowl over Arkansas
Ohio State defeats Arkansas, 31-26, in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Buckeyes get major contributions from the suspended players. Pryor has two touchdowns, Herron has one, Posey has one, and Solomon Thomas had the game winning interception. -
Knowingly keeps information from NCAA
A Yahoo! Sports story alleges Tressel knew of his players selling the items more than eight months before school officials said they were made aware of the transactions. Tressel learned of the situation when former OSU walk-on and local attorney Christopher Cicero emailed him. Ohio State suspends Tressel for the first two games of the 2011 season and fines him $250,000. -
NCAA upholds sanctions
March 17: The NCAA upholds the five-game suspensions for the five Ohio State players. Tressel asks Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith to increase his suspension from two to five games to match the players' punishment. Smith accepts Tressel's request. -
E-mails
March 25: The Columbus Dispatch reports Tressel forwarded the emails he received concerning the players to Ted Sarniak, a businessman from Jeannette, Pa., and a mentor to Pryor. -
Lack of control
Ohio State receives a notice of allegations from the NCAA, mostly concerning Tressel’s actions. The notice, however, does not include, “lack of institutional control.” -
Cars
The Columbus Dispatch reports that Ohio State's director of compliance is reviewing at least 50 car sales to Buckeyes athletes and relatives to see if they met NCAA rules. -
Ray Small comes out
Former Ohio State wide receiver Ray Small tells The Lantern, Ohio State's school newspaper, he sold his Big Ten championship rings and other memorabilia while playing for the Buckeyes from 2006-10. Small also said he received deals on cars. Tressel suspended Small multiple times, including his senior year before the 2010 Rose Bowl. -
Resignation
Tressel resigns as Ohio State football coach. Assistant coach Luke Fickell is named the interim coach for the 2011-12 season. Later that night, a story in Sports Illustrated alleges more widespread improper benefits involving players at Ohio State under Tressel. -
Pryor goes into NFL supplemental draft
June 7: Pryor announces his intention to skip his senior season at Ohio State in favor of the NFL supplemental draft. Pryor holds a press conference with agent Drew Rosenhaus in Miami, Fla., on June 14. Pryor says: "Coach Jim Tressel, I love you just like a father. You taught me a lot, and I apologize for putting you in a situation of taking you out of a job, a place that you love to be." -
Vacated wins
Ohio State responds to the NCAA allegations. The Buckeyes vacate all 12 wins from the 2010-11 season, including the Sugar Bowl win against Arkansas. Ohio State self-imposes a two-year probation on its football program, but no scholarship losses or bowl ban. Ohio State is scheduled to meet in front of the NCAA infractions committee Aug. 12.
