Former college football coach Jim Tressel has sold his Upper Arlington, Ohio, mansion. Previously, Tressel coached Ohio State University's football team, but lost his job after revelations came to light that some of his players received more than $14,000 in payments or special treatment from the owner of a local tattoo parlor. Tressel, who reportedly bought the 7,781-square-foot house for $1.38 million 2003, sold the home to automobile dealer Bobby Layman. Layman's son confirmed the transaction to The Columbus Dispatch on Tuesday.
The sprawling mansion is certainly a striking one, but it doesn't hold a candle to the home of another big name in football. Joe Montana listed his California villa for a staggering $49 million in 2009. The sluggish housing market has apparently sacked his hopes for a real estate score, however: He recently slashed the price by $14 million.
Tressel and his wife could possibly move to Sarasota, Fla., where they own a second home, TV station WBNS reports. But according to The Columbus Dispatch, the couple is still living in their Ohio home.
When they do leave, the local community may miss the glamour of living near a local celebrity. For all we know, Tressel may be a great neighbor, though maybe not as great as devout Christian and star quarterback Tim Tebow. The Denver Broncos player was voted the most desirable neighbor in Zillow's annual Zillow Celebrity Neighborhood Survey, putting him ahead of A-listers like Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston.
Tressel recently lost his job at Ohio State University for failing to report behavior among his players that violated NCCA rules. The NCCA says Tressel knew about the violations but passed up "at least four different opportunities to report the information, and his failure to do so led to allowing several football student-athletes to compete while ineligible."
The NCAA imposed a five-year "show-cause order" for Tressel's alleged negligence. The penalty limits his ability to acquire employment at other universities. But it wouldn't prevent him from entering the pro leagues: Tressel reportedly met with the Indianapolis Colts owner to discuss the team's open coaching position, WBNS says, but ended up not getting the job.
