Saturday, 21 December 2024

Woody Hayes

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Coaches 2024
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Sport(s): Football
Statistics: 5 NCAA National Championships (1954, 1957, 1961, 1968 & 1970)
1 OAC Championship (1947)
1 Mid-American Championship (1950)
13 Big Ten Championships (1954, 1955, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972 & 1977)
1 AFCA Coach of the Year Award (1957)
1 Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award (1968)
1 Big Ten Coach of the Year Awards (1973 & 1975)
238-72-10 NCAA Record
6-6 Bowl Record
Member of the College Football Hall of Fame
Woody Hayes took Denison to a title in the Ohio Athletic Conference and Miami of Ohio to a Mid-American Title. Hayes stayed in Ohio for his third (and last) head coaching job, but he went as far up in the state as he could; Hayes won the head coaching gig in Ohio State in 1951.

It was Hayes who took the Buckeyes to national prominence, as they moved to the Big 10 and became a perennial power. Hayes won the National Championship five times and the Big Ten 13 times. His teams also brought home the coveted Rose Bowl in four different seasons. The Buckeyes only had two losing seasons while Hayes was their coach.

Unfortunately, Hayes is best known for punching an opposing Clemson player after he intercepted a ball late in the 1978 Gator Bowl. It was the final straw for Hayes, as his conduct had come more and more scrutiny, and he was fired.

Despite his unceremonious end, Hayes is one of the most successful college football coaches in history.

We are proud to nominate Woody Hayes for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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