Woody Hayes: The General of Columbus
For 28 seasons, from 1951 to 1978, Woody Hayes was the iron-willed embodiment of Ohio State football. A domineering and brilliant leader, he built a Midwestern dynasty that became a central story in post-war college football history. His coaching philosophy was famously conservative: "three yards and a cloud of dust." This smash-mouth, run-first approach propelled his Buckeyes to 13 Big Ten Conference titles and five national championships.
Under his command, Ohio State was a model of discipline and physical dominance, producing legendary players like Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman winner. Hayes’s legacy is also one of complexity; his fiery temper was legendary and ultimately led to his dismissal after he struck an opposing player in the 1978 Gator Bowl. He remains one of the most successful, influential, and polarizing figures the sport has ever seen, a true titan of college football history. 🏈
