Jim Tressel, a former college football coach and Ohio’s soon-to-be lieutenant governor, said Thursday that he never envisioned accepting such a position — and that, despite heightened speculation, he has not thought about running for governor in 2026.

The decision I made was to sign the NCAA form that all of our players were doing appropriate things — and that wasn't the truth.”

Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel replaces Sen. Jon Husted, who took over Vice President JD Vance's Senate seat last month.