That 's when head coach Jim Tressel was fired .
The university faced a 2012 bowl ban over players exchanging memorabilia and autographs for free and cut - rate tattoos , in violation of NCAA rules .
That 's when head coach Jim Tressel was fired and the university faced a 2012 bowl ban over players exchanging memorabilia and autographs for free and cut - rate tattoos , in violation of NCAA rules .