I had to yawn Friday when I saw the news that Jim Tressel’s annual salary was bumped to $3.5 million.

When I finished yawning, I thought, “What too them so long?”

I had figured once the Forbes report was published two weeks ago, labeling Tressel as the “most underpaid” coach in America, it was just a matter of time before the movers and shakers at Ohio State would make him at least the highest paid coach in the Big Ten.

After all, Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, a coach with a 19-18 record over the past three seasons, inexplicably has held that title for long enough.

And now Tressel is — deservedly so.

I am happy for Coach Tressel, who is the type of guy who has not made any gripes about his previous paycheck when he surely could have. In fact, he is one of the most philanthropic coaches in the country, consistently giving back peripheral income to good causes.

But after all, how much money does a guy need when his happiness is all that counts?

He’s got his John Deere tractor, a nice big house in Upper Arlington, a great family and a ton of respect and admiration of all Ohioans.

So as the 2008 season kicks off, all seems to be falling in place for Buckeye fans.

We have had the Best Damn Band in the Land for decades. We are hoping to have the Best Damn Team in the Land for 2008. And now we have the Best Paid Coach in the Big Ten.

Get this fact: Tressel now makes approximately $25,000 more in one week than Woody

Hayes earned in his final year of 1978 as head coach at Ohio State.

Oh well, that’s just a sign of the times.

And during Woody’s final year, a hot dog at Ohio Stadium cost 50 cents and a gallon of gas went for around 61 cents.

Ah, the good ol’ days….

Let me take that last line back … we weren’t beating Michigan much back then.

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