Jim Tressel will be coaching students once again but this time it won't be on the field.
On Thursday, University of Akron President Dr. Luis Proenza appointed Tressel to be the vice president of strategic engagement.
Tressel will help connect with alumni and friends as well as identify and recommend support strategies to help create a better experience for students.
"I think that's awesome. I love Jim Tressel, Ohio State, and that's fantastic," said senior Brittany Devor.
"With his history in football and sports, I think Akron needs that right about now," said junior Zachary Skillern.
On Thursday morning, he met with a group of students to begin listening to what they want.
"The first thing I'm going to do is listen and learn and become a part of the team. I'm not the offensive coordinator or the defensive coordinator. I'm just a part of the team," Tressel said.
He said in the next few weeks will focus on building relationships.
"I want to do all that I can possibly do to build relationships with our alumni, with our friends, with future students, with our school systems, with our business partners, with everyone we possibly can in the community," Tressel said.
The former Ohio State University coach was forced to resign last year in the midst of scandal. He will not be a part of the athletic department and because of NCAA sanctions, he can't have day to day interaction with the football team.
Tressel's new position is part of a new strategy by the University of Akron called Vision 20/20: The New Gold Standard of University Performance. The plan focuses on preparing students for college and helping to direct them once they're there.
Tressel said the vision he and Dr. Proenza has is regional, which will keep him connected to Youngstown.
"Dr. Proenza talks often about the relationship he had with Dr. Sweet, who just retired, and now Cynthia Anderson over at Youngstown State so we're a partnership type group and I look forward to being able to help that," Tressel said.
Tressel's base salary is $200,000.
