Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has appointed Jim Tressel, the acclaimed former head coach who led Ohio State University to a national championship, as his prospective lieutenant governor.

“I am looking for a partner who actively contributes innovative ideas every day, and Jim is known for his creativity,” DeWine, a Republican, stated during a press conference on Monday. “His ideas are insightful and rooted in his experiences and knowledge.”

At 72 years old, Tressel must receive approval from the state legislature before officially taking office. He is set to replace Senator Jon Husted, DeWine’s previous running mate who was recently appointed to fill the Senate seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance.

With DeWine facing term limits, the shift in Husted’s position has triggered significant changes within Ohio’s political landscape. Tressel has not disclosed whether he intends to pursue a gubernatorial run in 2026. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has already announced his candidacy for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who has strong connections to President Donald Trump and Vance, is anticipated to launch his campaign soon.

Previously the president of Youngstown State University, Tressel has frequently been highlighted as a potential candidate for public office, although he has never formally entered the race.

Tressel has been an influential fundraiser for former Representative Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio, who played under him at Ohio State. He also led the Youngstown State Penguins to four NCAA Division I-AA national championships prior to his tenure with the Buckeyes.

“I was definitely taken by surprise with this nomination,” Tressel remarked on Monday.

Tressel stepped down from Ohio State in 2011 amid controversies surrounding the football program, which included an NCAA investigation linked to players selling memorabilia.

CORRECTION (Feb. 10, 2025, 6:12 p.m. ET): An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified who was photographed with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. It was Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, not Jim Tressel. The image has since been updated to show only Tressel.