COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State will not have to pay for Jim Tressel’s legal team as the Buckeyes’ coach defends himself against NCAA charges that the knew his players received improper benefits but didn’t report it.

Athletic director Gene Smith, attending Big Ten meetings with Tressel on Wednesday, confirmed to the AP in a text message that the coach is responsible for his own lawyers.

Tressel, in his 11th year at Ohio State where he makes around $3.5 million per season, has hired Gene Marsh to represent him before the NCAA’s committee on infractions Aug. 12 .

The NCAA has charged that Tressel “failed to (comport) himself in accordance with ... honesty and integrity.” Tressel violated NCAA bylaws — and his own contract’s stipulations — which require that he immediately report all knowledge of any NCAA violations to his superiors, the NCAA or the university’s compliance department.