Just My Type

The Interview

Jim Tressel
FOOTBALL COACH

The man who has taken Ohio State to the BCS title game three times was preparing to visit troops in Iraq with several other college coaches.

Dan Patrick: Did you recruit LeBron James (right) to play football at Ohio State?

Jim Tressel: I was in St. Vincent--St. Mary High one day after his junior year—we were recruiting another guy—and I felt this big pair of hands on the back of my neck. It was LeBron. He said, "I could play wideout for you." I said, "[Former basketball] Coach O'Brien and I would certainly love to have you for a year. I'm sure it wouldn't be much longer than that, but you've got a scholarship if you want it."

DP: Could he have been successful in college football and as a pro?

JT: Oh, absolutely. He's just so competitive and so physical. The speed at which he goes at 265 pounds, I don't know if there's anyone in the world at that size who moves like that. I remember watching his high school football film. It was frightening.

DP: You host USC on Sept. 12. Do your guys have that circled on their calendar?

JT: There's no doubt our guys have it in their minds. We were out there last year and didn't fare well [USC won 35--3], so they know the challenge we're up against.

DP: Don't you think not having a conference championship game hurts the Big Ten in terms of the BCS? A win in a championship game elevates a team in the eyes of the voters. Is there any chance we'll see the league expand from 11 to 12 teams and have a title game?