If Jim Tressel had reported the transgressions he knew about at Ohio State rather than make an attempt to cover them up, there is a high probability he'd still be coaching the Buckeyes.
If he had only practiced what he had been preaching, especially in the book he wrote, "The Winner's Manual: For The Game of Life."
As much fun poked at Tressel because of his sweater vests, I never viewed him as this outlaw coach or villain. Other than calling out Michigan when he initially got the job at Ohio State, which was good for the rivalry, he wasn't particularly outspoken. He was generally humble in media and public settings.
He wasn't Barry Switzer or Jerry Tarkanian in that you suspected immediately he was running a bandit program, although there has been smoke coming about the athletic program in Columbus for years.
It turned out Tressel preached one way, practiced another, and that there were Ohio State faithful, and those among the Big Ten family, who believed he was genuine.
Take the rivalry against Michigan, and much lesser to Michigan State, and put it aside. Tressel appeared good for the Big Ten. He brought the conference honor. It's sad in that sense he eventually brought the Big Ten ultimate dishonor.