WHO WAS WOODY HAYES?

A Very Brief Portrait

He's been called "the most colorful, most charismatic, most nonconformist, most controversial coach in football." His temper was legendary, and his desire to win at all costs was both his strength and his fatal flaw. The "coach," was a man who often appeared despotic and combative. But off the field he was a far more complex and compassionate man with a heart as "big as Ohio." He was Woody Hayes, Ohio State University football coach from 1951-1978

Woody in shirtsleeves and snow

While he will always be associated with football and OSU, Wayne Woodrow Hayes originally intended to become a lawyer. After graduating from Denison University in 1935, he accepted a position as a seventh grade teacher and assistant football coach in Mingo Junction, Ohio. His plan was to save enough money to attend law school. Instead, another teaching and coaching position followed, this time at New Philadelphia High School. It was during this tenure that he also met his wife Anne. They were married in 1942. Plans for law school were again postponed, this time by events on the world stage. Like many young men at this time, Hayes joined the war effort and enlisted in the Navy. He saw combat duty in the Pacific and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. On his return in 1946, Hayes accepted a two-year coaching contract at Denison University.

Lt. Commander Woody Hayes in uniform accepting position

Although the first year was a bumpy one for Hayes and his team, Coach Hayes responded to his detractors with two back- to -back undefeated seasons in 1947 and 1948. In 1949, Miami University of Ohio hired Hayes, and one-year later he led his team to a 34-21 victory over Arizona State in the Salad Bowl. His success captured the attention of OSU's football program, a program struggling with a reputation for being "the grave yard of coaches." Woody Hayes was named head Coach of OSU football in 1951. This was a controversial decision and Hayes was not a popular choice for many people in Columbus, Ohio. Certainly his first three unspectacular years only served to confirm fan's suspicions that Hayes too would soon be gone. The Buckeyes took some time to adjust to Hayes' running game-- an approach he famously referred to as "three yards and a cloud of dust." In 1954, Hayes' smash mouth style of football paid off and the OSU team went 10-0. The Buckeyes beat archival Michigan for the Big Ten championship and Southern California 20-7 in the Rose Bowl. During his 28-year tenure, Ohio State University won or shared 13 conference titles and five national championships. Hayes coached 58 All-Americans, four Heisman Trophy winners and led Ohio State University to four Rose Bowl victories.

Woody at desk with projector 1951

Coach Hayes was a tireless worker. Always looking to the next game, he was determined that no other coaches outwork him. He could often been found sound asleep in his office after spending the entire night watching game film. He was also demanding of both his staff and players. These demands extended beyond the playing field. Hayes was passionate about education and insisted that the football players were students first and athletes second. Hayes was known to conduct English classes with the players and he closely monitored their academic progress.

Woody Hayes was also a staunch conservative both on and off the field. He was a friend and supporter of Richard Nixon. An avid reader of military history, Hayes had two entire shelves of books on Patton in his office.



Woody in fatigues in Vietnam

Not surprisingly, he strongly supported American participation in the Vietnam War. In 1968, having led the Buckeyes to a second national championship and victory in the Rose Bowl, Hayes went off to visit the troops in Vietnam.


Woody and Bo

Another battle occupied Hayes' time during the 1970's. In 1969, Woody's former player and assistant coach Bo Schembechler became head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. It sparked the beginning of what was later dubbed the "Ten-Year War." In eight of the ten years, the game between the two teams settled the Big Ten Championship

While his victories made him a beloved figure on Ohio, Hayes was no stranger to controversy. His temper was legendary, and his outbursts during televised games were highlighted and often capitalized on by the national media. Hayes may have helped to reinforce this curmudgeonly image by refusing to allow any publicity about his more charitable side. While players and friends often accompanied him on hospital trips and his generosity was unmatched, the media maintained a spotlight on Hayes' outbursts and tantrums. Hayes made their job easier throughout the 1970s by getting into altercations with journalists and a cameraman. Hayes' temper finally got the better of him during the final minutes of the 1978 Gator Bowl. In front of a national television audience, Hayes hit Clemson player Charlie Bauman. The next day Woody Hayes was fired.

Although remembered today primarily for this incident and his impressive record, there was more to Coach Hayes than football. He maintained a good relationship with the university, and in retirement was in great demand on the speaking circuit. Hayes cared little about money and was known to frequently refuse speaking fees or to donate them to charitable causes. Hayes was inducted in to the Football hall of Fame in 1983, the same year he had the honor of "dotting the i" for the Ohio State band's signature script Ohio.

Woody dotting i

Hayes' health declined after he suffered a second heart attack in 1985. On March 12, 1987 Woody Hayes died.

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