Monday, March 12, 2007

Remembering Woody Hayes


Twenty years ago today, former Ohio State coach Woody Hayes died. Hayes' coaching career came to an end in the 1978 Gator Bowl, when he punched Clemson's Charlie Bauman after the linebacker intercepted a pass, securing the Tigers' 17-15 victory. The next day, on Dec. 30, Hayes was fired.

It was an unfortunate ending to Hayes' tenure at Columbus, but he rehabilitated his image before his death. His legacy lives on, and the Columbus Dispatch has put together some remembrances of Hayes.

As a footnote, Bauman eventually moved to — of all places — Ohio. He was never angry at Hayes. "He made a mistake. He made other mistakes, and so have I. Everybody makes mistakes."

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