YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Jim Tressel, the University of Akron's executive vice president and former Ohio State University football coach, is now a candidate for two university presidencies after submitting an application for the top job at Youngstown State University.
Tressel is also one of 15 candidates being considered for president at UA. YSU spokesman Ron Cole confirmed Tressel had applied.
He released a statement from Tressel provided by Akron: "I am respectful of the presidential search process underway at both Youngstown State University and The University of Akron. Both University communities are a very meaningful part of my professional history. I feel grateful that people from both University communities have expressed interest in my application. I believe it's appropriate that I not comment any further during this part of the process."
The University of Akron hopes to name the person who will succeed President Luis Proenza next month. Proenza is retiring June 30.
YSU was forced to seek a new president after President Randy Dunn, after only seven months in the job, told the board of trustees in February he was resigning to become president of Southern Illinois University. He left the university at the end of March.
A search firm and search committee have advertised for the position.
Tressel, who coached at YSU from 1986 to 2000, remains beloved in the Youngstown area, and community leaders have promoted him for the presidency.
Tressel holds only a master's degree and has only had an administration position at UA for about two years, which has led to concern by faculty at both institutions.