Possible Replacements for Jim Tressel

Yesterday, Jim Tressel resigned as Ohio State’s head football coach. This was not entirely unexpected; OSU’s football program has been in turmoil for a few months now. But his resignation has still sent shock waves throughout the college football world.

Assistant Head Coach Luke Fickell has been chosen to be the interim coach throughout the  2011 season which will be followed by a search for a permanent head coach. 

While it is way too early to begin speculating on possible replacements for Tressel, I am sure that there are some who are already doing this.  So I have decided to go ahead and join the fray. Here are my early suggestions for Jim Tressel’s replacement:

1.  Nick Saban.  Saban is currently the head coach of the University of Alabama’s football team.  But he has ties to the Big Ten conference. And he may want to move to a conference that is easier to win. And he might want an easier path the BCS championship game.  And maybe he wants to go to a school featuring a nicer shade of red.  Really, though, this is wishful thinking on my part. As a long time University of Tennessee fan I am obligated to wish misfortune on Alabama’s team as often as possible.

2.  Lex Luthor.  Luthor is used to having his masterful plans for domination dashed at the last-minute by a more powerful foe (Superman).  Ohio State’s football team is used to having their masterful plans for domination dashed in the last game by a more powerful foe (any team from the Southeastern Conference). Seems like a perfect match.

3.  The Jim-Poster.  If you can’t have Jim Tressel, why not hire a guy that looks eerily identical to him.

4.  Michael Scott. Now that he is not longer leading the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin, maybe he would be available to lead the Buckeyes with the same professionalism and panache. Could the world’s best boss also be the world’s best coach? I think so. 

 5.  Me. While I have absolutely no football coaching experience, I do look good in a sweater vest. Or at  least I like wearing sweater vests. I would also take the job for half of Tressel’s salary. And at this point I am pretty sure that a snow globe could lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship. 

Aside from #1, these aren’t very good suggestions.  And even if they were, why would the powers that be at Ohio State University look to me for help?

Answer: they wouldn’t.

I am completely unqualified and incapable of providing direction for a collegiate football program.  If they want or need help they should look to those with the appropriate level of wisdom to guide them.

The same is true for each of us as we try to navigate through life.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, 
And lean not on your own understanding; 
In all your ways acknowledge Him, 
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

It is amazing how often we look for help from those incapable of leading us down the right paths.  Especially since there is One who is all-wise ready and willing to guide us if we only ask.

Ohio State has no business consulting with me about who their next coach should be and we have no business consulting with those who do not have a relationship with God about what our next steps should be.

Listen to God.

Listen to His Word.

Consult with those who have demonstrated that their relationship with God is deep and real.

Let the One who knows it all lead you. Your life is too important to do anything less.

(Who are other possible candidates to replace Jim Tressel? For those who do not care about football–who should be the new boss at Dunder Mifflin? Share away!)