Jim Tressel made a strong first impression on Ohio State fans.
At halftime of the Buckeyes' men's basketball matchup against Michigan Jan. 18, 2001, the newly-hired Ohio State football coach took the microphone and told the crowd that they would "be proud of our young people in the classroom, in the community, and, most especially, in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan," launching a streak of 17 Ohio State wins in 19 tries against the Wolverines.
According to the Toledo Blade's David Briggs, Tressel said this impromptu speech had been what he had been thinking during the interview process, making it clear how important the Michigan rivalry was to him.