The Columbus Post-Dispatch broke the news on Monday morning that Jim Tressel has resigned as the head football coach at Ohio State University.

Tressel has been on the hot seat since news came out that he was made aware that five key players, including quarterback Terrelle Pryor, sold memorabilia to a local tattoo parlor owner in exchange for benefits eight months before an FBI investigation revealed the scandal, but never reported it to compliance. The FBI had the tattoo parlor owner on their radar for a drug trafficking probe.

Just last month, the paper alleged that car dealers also gave perks to OSU players and their families.

Already under a self-imposed five-game suspension by the university to start the season (along with several players), Tressel and the Buckeyes were facing an uphill battle.  Assistant coach Luke Fickell will act as interim coach all next season.

Tressel finishes his remarkable 106-22 record in 10 seasons, including a National Championship in 2002. He posted a 9-1 mark against Michigan, Ohio State’s biggest rival, and led the Buckeyes to seven Big Ten titles (66-14 conference record). He led the team to eight BCS bowl games, posting a 5-3 record (1-2 in title games). His 106 wins are the third most by an Ohio State coach, behind Woody Hayes (205) and John Cooper (111). His winning percentage of .827, meanwhile, is significantly higher than both Hayes (.761) and Cooper (.715).

While some might be surprised by the timing of the move, there wasn’t many other options for an ending. Violations of rules are one thing, but blatantly covering up the issue with no regard to policy shows a few things. For starters, it shows Tressel’s loyalty to his players and why he was a great mentor. However, it also shows one of Tressel’s greatest faults, his ego. Finally, it also shows that no program, including The Ohio State, is above the NCAA and their tight dictatorship of the sport.

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