FILE - Former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel watches a scoreboard tribute for the 2002 national championship team during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Ohio State, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)

In a stunning move, Gov. Mike DeWine nominated Jim Tressel, the retired Youngstown State University president and a former football coach, as lieutenant governor.

Tressel, a longtime Republican who has never held or run for elected office before, admitted Monday that DeWine’s offer “was a surprise for sure. But I’ve always enjoyed working with decision-makers in the state.”

DeWine, a fellow Republican, said he first met with Tressel on Feb. 1 to gauge his interest. Tressel said he called his wife, Ellen.

Tressel, 72, said he told his wife, “You’re not going to believe this but the governor thinks that we’d be capable of being helpful and wants us to consider this and she said, ‘It sounds like God has more work for you to do.'”

Being nominated for lieutenant governor, Tressel said, “Is really a humbling moment. I believe in our governor and what he believes in. I promise for the next 699 days to have a singleness of purpose and a singleness of focus, which is to serve the needs that the governor outlines.”

DeWine made the surprise announcement Monday in Columbus with Tressel by his side.

“I’m going to work like crazy to learn all I can learn and contribute all I can contribute and I’m excited,” Tressel said.