(The Center Square) – Former national champion football coach at Ohio State and political rookie Jim Tressel was quickly confirmed Wednesday by the Ohio House and Senate as the state's new lieutenant governor.

Tressel was nominated by Gov. Mike DeWine to fill the role vacated by U.S. Sen. Jon Husted.

Tressel’s confirmation passed the Senate 31-1. The House voted 68-27 to confirm.

Husted was appointed to fill the seat of Vice President J.D. Vance.

“He’s enabled himself to become one of the greatest leaders we’ve had in this state,” Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon. "I expect he will bring that leadership with him to being the lieutenant governor in a manner that will make all Ohioans proud."

Tressel, 72, was born in Mentor and coached Ohio State from 2001-10, leading the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2002 with a win over previously undefeated Miami in the Orange Bowl. Ohio State appeared in three national championship games under Tressel.

He resigned in 2011 after several players were accused of trading jerseys and gold pants awarded for beating Michigan for tattoos.

Most recently, he served as president of Youngstown State University from 2014 until 2023.

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