Ohio State has a long list of successful coaches. However, there are a few that stick out. The top five coaches in Ohio State history with a minimum of 50 games coached are as follows:
5. Francis A. Schmidt 1934-1940
- Record: 39-16-1
- Winning Percentage: .696
- Big Ten Titles: 2
- National Championships: 0
- Record Versus Rival (Michigan): 4-3
- Bowl Game Record: 0-0
Francis A. Schmidt coached two Big Ten championship teams in 1935 and 1939. He also won his first four meetings against arch rival Michigan. His teams, however, failed to make a bowl game. He was known for his "wide open" style of offense.
4. John Cooper 1988-2001
- Record: 111-43-4
- Winning Percentage: .703
- Big Ten Titles: 3
- National Championships: 0
- Record Versus Rival: 2-10-1
- Bowl Game Record: 3-8
John Cooper led Ohio State to three Big Ten championships in 1993, 1996, and 1998. Although with a high winning percentage, Cooper had losing records against Michigan and in bowl games. His three bowl wins came in the 1993 Holiday Bowl against BYU, 1997 Rose Bowl against Arizona State, and 1998 Sugar Bowl against Texas A&M. John coached Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George in 1995.
Today's Must Reads
3. Earle Bruce 1979-1987
- Record: 81-26-1
- Winning Percentage: .750
- Big Ten Titles: 4
- National Championships: 0
- Record Versus Rival: 5-4
- Bowl Game Record: 5-3
Earle Bruce had four Big Ten championships while coaching at Ohio State. He had a winning record against Michigan and in bowl games. He won the 1981 Liberty Bowl against Navy, 1982 Holiday Bowl against BYU, 1983 Fiesta Bowl against Pittsburgh, 1985 Citrus Bowl against BYU, and 1986 Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M.
2. Jim Tressel 2001-Present
- Record: 62-14-0
- Winning Percentage: .816
- Big Ten Titles: 4
- National Championships: 1
- Record Versus Rival: 6-1
- Bowl Game Record: 4-3
Jim Tressel, Ohio State's current head coach has already claimed four Big Ten titles and the 2002 National Championship. He has dominated against rival Michigan and has a winning record in bowl games despite losing the last two National Championship games.
His four bowl game wins came in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl (National Championship) against Miami (FL), 2003 Fiesta Bowl against Kansas State, 2004 Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma State, and 2005 Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame. Tressel coached Heisman winner Troy Smith in 2006.
1. Woody Hayes 1951-1978
- Record: 205-61-10
- Winning Percentage: .743
- Big Ten Titles: 13
- National Championships: 5
- Record Versus Rival: 16-11-1
- Bowl Game Record: 5-6
Woody Hayes is the greatest coach in Ohio State history. His career included an astounding 13 Big Ten Titles and five National Championships. He also had a winning record against the "team up North."
Hayes coached the 1954, 1955, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977 Big Ten Championship teams. He also coached the 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, and 1970 National Championship teams.
His five bowl wins came in the 1954 Rose Bowl (National Championship) against USC, 1957 Rose Bowl (National Championship) against Oregon, 1968 Rose Bowl (National Championship) against USC, 1973 Rose Bowl against USC, and 1976 Orange Bowl against Colorado. Woody coached Heisman winner Howard Cassady in 1955 and two-time winner Archie Griffin in 1974 and 1975.
comments (14) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
Great article.
about 1 month ago
After reading countless biographies and stories about the man, I deeply regret not being old enough to know/appreciate everything Woody did for Ohio State both on and off the field. He died in 1987 when I was only four years old.
about 1 month ago
Great article. Well written.
It's a shame that we don't really have access to recruiting data as far back as the 1970s (in terms of recruiting classes and national rankings). If such data would ever become available in the future, it would be interesting to compare Woody Hayes efforts versus those of Tressel in terms of recruiting.
The Buckeyes have another top-ranked class in hand for 2009 after cleaning house (and Michigan's clock) on the recruiting trail in 2008. I do think Hayes pretty much had his pick of the litter for a while in the 1960s and early 1970s, but then things got a little bit more competitive with Ara P., Dan Devine, perhaps a little bit of Bo's efforts in Ohio and the Midwest.
Tressel's record is really incredible so far in his career. I'm pretty sure it's unprecedented for any Big Ten coach historically.
I'm a huge Michigan football fan. But I know very well where Michigan football would likely be today without the teachings and influence of Mr. Woodrow (I-wear-short-sleeves-when-it's-20 below) Hayes.
Attack your opponent at their strongest point. Run right at 'em.
from about 1 month ago
Thing about Woody was, at least based on what I've read, is that the man rarely ever travelled outside of Ohio to recruit and when he did, he only went to places close to the Ohio border.
Maybe its because Bo was an Ohio boy himself, but I always thought it was amusing reading about Woody getting mad as hell that Bo dared to recruit players from Ohio (the Cleveland area, especially). If anything, Bo ought to be credited in forcing Woody to start going outside the Buckeye State for top recruits.
from about 1 month ago
Woody once went to Michigan to scout and on his way back he almost ran out of gas His driver tried to get him to stop and get gas, but Woody made him wait until they got back into Ohio because he didn't want to give a cent to that state. That pretty much sums up how he felt about Michigan.
about 1 month ago
great list, dan
about 1 month ago
Thank you CB, Markusr, and Alan.
about 1 month ago
My dad had the liberty of being at Earle Bruce' last game up in Michigan when we won in 87... to this day my dad doesn't quite understand why Earle Bruce was just given up on like he was. I think just from the record and the fact that he is still a very beloved Buckeye and does a lot for them shows just how great of a man that he was. Makes you wonder where we would be right now though if he would have stayed coach... we never would have had to suffer the Cooper years but would we have Tressel right now?
about 1 month ago
Also I'm not saying I don't think your list is right.... but I think Paul Brown needs a little bit of recognition... He was the first ever National Championship with Ohio State but only coached from 1941 to 1943 with an 18-8-1 record... but most importantly changed Ohio State football forever.. and changed football in the whole state of Ohio forever.... he has a team named after him (Cleveland Browns) and has two stadiums named after him.. Paul Brown Stadium (Cincinnati Bengals) and Paul Brown Tiger Stadium (Massillon Washington High School)
from about 1 month ago
I agree that Paul Brown was a great coach but I only included coaches in this list that coached for at least 50 games. Also, like BabyTate said, he was known more for what he did after coaching at OSU. I respect what he did for OSU in the short time he was there.
about 1 month ago
I followed Woody Hayes his entire 27 year career at Ohio State. I've written an article listing him among the finest coaches at any school however, you must understand he had several problems in communicating with the press and public. His work in public after losing his job, following the Gator Bowl loss to Clemson in 1978, was admirable and set a standard for how retired coaches should serve the community at large. Naturally, Paul Brown would be considered the greatest coach who worked at Ohio State but that would be because of his success on the professional level where he ranks with Vince Lombardi and George Halas as the three greatest NFL coaches of all-time. I would say that Tressel should actually rank above Brown as a Buckeye coach since Brown wasn't there long enough to set up a dynasty like he would have with his Cleveland Browns. Interesting article.
about 1 month ago
Jim Tressel is actually on tour with his book this week! There's a blog with updates from the tour here: http://www.tyndale.com/articles/blog/default.htm
Check it out if you're interested!
22 days ago
Great Article
from 22 days ago
Thanks!
write a new comment