COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Jim Tressel has held many titles in his lifetime — football coach at Ohio State, president at Youngstown State — and on Friday morning, he took on his latest: lieutenant governor of Ohio.

Tressel was sworn in by Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine in a ceremony at the Statehouse, with Gov. Mike DeWine in attendance.

“[DeWine] is one million percent dedicated to making every day in the remainder of his service a day that takes Ohio forward. And I want to be a part of that,” Tressel said after taking his oath of office. “I want to learn from him and serve with him and see where I can be helpful.”

In a surprise move, DeWine approached Tressel to be his new lieutenant governor after he appointed Jon Husted to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance. DeWine said he trusted Tressel’s judgment and called him a born leader in selecting him Monday. Ohio’s General Assembly confirmed Tressel’s nomination this week.

Roy Hall, a former Ohio State receiver who played under Tressel, thanked him on behalf of several former players who were in attendance.

“We’ve never met a man greater than you,” Hall said. “One way or another, you’ve put your imprint on our hearts with your love, and your dedication and commitment.

Tressel, 72, who has never made his political leanings widely known, becomes a prominent member of Ohio’s dominant Republican Party, which holds both U.S. Senate seats, both chambers of the Statehouse and all statewide executive offices.

During his coaching days, Tressel was called the “Senator” for seemingly sounding like a politician when asked about offensive play-calling or blocking schemes. Now, he’s holding political office for the first time.

“What I get is 696 days to prove to the Ohioans that I’m here for them,” Tressel said Thursday. “I want to gain their trust. I want to hear their needs. And I’m excited.”

He remains best known to Ohioans as coach of Ohio State’s football team from 2001 to ’10, where he won a national championship in 2002 and competed for two others. He went 106-23 but resigned under pressure after he faced questions over his knowledge of players trading Buckeyes memorabilia for tattoos, among other exchanges not allowed under NCAA rules at the time.

Tressel transitioned to college leadership, serving at Youngstown State, where he was football coach before Ohio State, as president from 2014 to ’23.

Tressel has not indicated whether he might seek the Republican nomination for governor for 2026. Attorney General Dave Yost has said he’ll see the nomination, and billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy is expected to run. Among Democrats, former state health director Amy Acton is running.

DeWine, 78, is ineligible for a third term.