MANSFIELD, Ohio — Longtime Mansfield City Schools educator Doug Castle recently landed a job working alongside former Ohio State University head coach Jim Tressel; the two have formed a friendship, for good.
On July 1, 2014, Tressel became Youngstown State University‘s ninth president. Upon accepting the job he announced his official retirement from coaching, citing it as an opportunity to influence more youth to go to college.
“Having that chance to be helpful on a larger scale is where my heart is right now,” said Tressel.
His career as a collegiate football coach is monumental. From 1986 to 2000, he was head coach for the Youngstown State Penguins and won four national championships. From 2001 to 2010 he led the Buckeyes to a bowl game each year, winning the BCS National Championship in 2002. He finished his coaching career with a winning record of 229 wins, 79 losses and two ties.
But Tressel wasn’t all football. Even during his coaching career, he was devoted to helping his athletes succeed in academics.
“That’s what we were about,” said Tressel.
In March 2006, Castle joined the Ohio State Buckeye football team as an academic encourager. He was responsible for keeping the athletes accountable with their studies. He stayed there for seven seasons.
As a lifelong educator, Tressel said Castle was well-equipped for the job.
Castle started his career with Mansfield City Schools in 1965 as a Physical Education teacher at Stadium Elementary and Fleming Falls. He made many moves within the school system until he landed a job as John Simpson Middle School’s principal. He stayed there until 2000, when he retired. But that didn’t stop him. He soon became assistant principal at Galion Middle School and stayed there until 2005.
During his tenure as academic encourager for the Buckeyes, Tressel and Castle developed a mutual respect and cultivated a professional relationship.
“I would go to war for him in a heart beat,” said Castle.
And now, since Jan. 1, 2015, their friendship has kindled into a collaborative effort to offer students an education on the collegiate level. As an academic recruiter, Castle visits schools in a six-county region, inspiring young students to sign up for classes at Youngstown State University.
Through this job, he hopes to inspire more youth from Mansfield to attend college. He said he has visited all the schools in Richland County since starting his work for Youngstown State University, inspiring students to go further with education.
“I had a chance to get to know Castle when he was helping us out with athletes at Ohio State,” said Tressel. “Everyone knows him as an educator that cares about them. He sits down with people and let’s them know how they can be successful.”
“He’s a good man and he’s working hard,” he added.
Castle believes in education. He was the first in his family to graduate from high school, and having graduated from college as well, believes that education provides opportunity.
“Getting a good education gives you options,” explained Castle. “The fact that I got an education is what’s placed me in a position, at the age of 73, to be doing what I’m doing now. If I hadn’t got that education those opportunities would not have been afforded to me,” he said.
