Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Today in Sports History: Woody Hayes


February 14th, 1913
Woody Hayes

Did you know that there used to be a college bowl game, and this is no joke, called the Salad Bowl.  It’s true!  Five Salad Bowl games were held from 1948-1952.  In 1951, Woody Hayes lead Miami (Ohio) to a 34-21 victory over Arizona State in the second to last Salad Bowl.  That Salad Bowl would be the last he would coach at Ohio as the big time was calling.

Miami has been called by some as the Craddle of Coaches, for it has produced such men as Paul Brown, Ara Parseghian, Weeb Ewebank, Bo Schembechler, and for the 1949 and ’50 season, Woody Hayes.

There is no doubt he was a successful coach on the sidelines for The Ohio State University Buckeyes.  5 National Championships spread over 28 seasons at Ohio State.  In total, he won 238 games, lost just 72 and tie another 10.  That record includes seasons at Denison and Miami of Ohio. 

Of course, Woody had incidents that made even his most faithful follower wince.  There was the 1971 incident with referee Jarry Markbreit.  An official did not penalize Hayes’ opponent, Michigan, for what he thought should have been pass interference.  He charged officials, cursed at them, and proceeded to throw yard markers about the field.  When all was said and done, Woody racked up 30 yards in penalties, was ejected, suspended and fined. 

December 29th, 1978 was his last game.  Playing in the Gator Bowl against Clemson, late in the game, the Buckeyes were close to scoring a go ahead touchdown.  Clemson nose guard Charlie Bauman intercepted a pass and returned it out of bounds at the OSU bench.  Enraged, Hayes punched Bauman and a bench-clearing brawl ensued.  The Buckeyes were penalized 30 yards, Hayes was ejected, and the incident would lead to his firing. 

In a side note, Hayes’ son, Steven, was the Franklin County Municipal Judge who presided over the case of former Buckeye running back Maurice Clarett. 

He passed away March 12th, 1987, but of all days, for a person with a hot temper, Woody Hayes just had to be born on Valentine’s Day, 1913.

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