Jim Tressel

Jim Tressel

Keynote Speaker: President of Youngstown State University; Former Head Coach of The Ohio State University Football Team

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  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $20,000 - $30,000
    Virtual Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
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Jim Tressel Biography

A native of Northeast Ohio, Jim Tressel graduated from Berea High School in suburban Cleveland in 1971. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1975 and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Akron in 1977. He also holds Honorary Doctoral degrees from YSU in 2001 and Baldwin-Wallace in 2003.

After serving as an Assistant Football Coach at the University of Akron, Miami (OH), Syracuse and Ohio State, Tressel was named YSU Head Football Coach in 1986. In his 15 year tenure, including six as Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, YSU appeared in the playoffs 10 times and won four National Championships. In January 2001, Tressel left YSU to become the Head Football Coach at The Ohio State University. In 10 seasons, he guided the Buckeyes to the 2002 National Championship and seven Big Ten Championships. After leaving Ohio State, Tressel served as Executive Vice President for Student Success at the University of Akron, and then returned to YSU in 2014 as President before retiring in 2023.

At YSU the academic quality of freshman classes continued upward; retention and graduation rates rose dramatically; the Honors College grew from 300 students to over 1200 students; the university hit record fundraising levels; the physical plant was transformed with the addition of private housing options and state-of-the-art academic research and workforce training facilities.

Among his many honors: Chevrolet National Coach of the Year, the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, the American Football Coaches Association National Coach of the Year, the Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year, and the Sporting News National Coach of the Year. Tressel was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. At YSU, he received the Heritage Award in 2008 and was inducted into the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. He was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015. Jim and his father, Lee Tressel are the only Father-and-Son to have both been named to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Tressel has published two books, has given hundreds of presentations and lectures across the country, and has had extensive involvement in fundraising and philanthropy, including the recent $1 million gift to create the Jim and Ellen Tressel Student Work Opportunity Endowment Fund at YSU. Currently, Jim and Ellen serve on the Board of the newly created James P. Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork.

Tressel’s wife, Ellen, is a YSU graduate and an accomplished business woman and philanthropist who remains engaged in charitable causes and community organizations in cities where she and her husband have built careers and raised family, including Youngstown, Columbus, and Akron, OH. She began her own financial career in her family’s business (Youngstown Welding and Engineering Co.) and served 17 years as a Vice President at Butler Wick and Co., Inc.

They are the proud parents of four accomplished adults: Zak, Carlee, Eric, and Whitney and three amazing grandchildren.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Jim Tressel and other top speakers and celebrities.

Jim Tressel Videos

Jim Tressel - Keynote Speaker at 1480 WHBC Football Banquet
Jim Tressel Reflects on Life of Earle Bruce - YouTube
Jim Tressel Signing Day Press Conference Opening Remarks ...

How do I book Jim Tressel to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jim Tressel for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Jim Tressel, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Jim Tressel or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Jim Tressel for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Jim Tressel, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jim Tressel are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jim Tressel, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Jim Tressel speak about?

Jim Tressel is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Football, Motivational, Sports Motivation, College, Personal Growth, Educational Motivational and Sports Coaching.

Where does Jim Tressel travel from?

Jim Tressel generally travels from Fort Myers, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Jim Tressel?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Jim Tressel for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jim Tressel for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jim Tressel or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Jim Tressel is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Football, Motivational and Sports Motivation. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jim Tressel for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Jim Tressel generally travels from Fort Myers, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Rudy Ruettiger, Rocky Bleier and Jim Morris. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jim Tressel for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 12/08/2024.

Jim Tressel Videos

Jim Tressel - Keynote Speaker at 1480 WHBC Football Banquet
Jim Tressel Reflects on Life of Earle Bruce - YouTube
Jim Tressel Signing Day Press Conference Opening Remarks ...
Jim Tressel: Leading and Motivating for Exceptional Performance ...

Jim Tressel Reviews

  • Mr. Tressel could not have been better. His presentation was spot on. He told interesting stories, motivated leaders, and gave everyone fuel for the upcoming school year. I knew he would do a great job, but honestly he went above and beyond.
    Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center - Aug 08 2024

  • "Mr. Tressel could not have been better. His presentation was spot on. He told interesting stories, motivated leaders, and gave everyone fuel for the upcoming school year. I knew he would do a great job, but honestly he went above and beyond."
    Executive Director of Achievement and Leadership Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center - Aug 08 2024

  • Tragedy Into Triumph - May 08 2024

  • Jim was a fantastic speaker! We appreciated his message.
    County Employee Benefit Consortium of Ohio (CEBCO/CCAO) - Apr 09 2024

  • Coach Tressel arrived at the event when it started, knowing his speaking slot was two hours later. We were impressed with that as he made it clear he wanted to experience the full flavor of what we were trying to do. He was very personable and friendly. Great experience.
    Progressive Foam Technologies - Nov 14 2023

  • How do I book Jim Tressel to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jim Tressel for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Jim Tressel, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Jim Tressel or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Jim Tressel for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Jim Tressel, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jim Tressel are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jim Tressel, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Jim Tressel speak about?

    Jim Tressel is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Football, Motivational, Sports Motivation, College, Personal Growth, Educational Motivational and Sports Coaching.
  • Where does Jim Tressel travel from?

    Jim Tressel generally travels from Fort Myers, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Jim Tressel?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Jim Tressel for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jim Tressel for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jim Tressel or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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