Fansided

Best college football coach in history from each state

By Nathaniel Reeves

TUSCALOOSA, AL - CIRCA 1958-1982: Paul Bryant, head coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team observes the play during a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Alabama) (Photo by University of Alabama/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - CIRCA 1958-1982: Paul Bryant, head coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team observes the play during a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Alabama) (Photo by University of Alabama/Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /
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CIRCA 1970’s: Head Coach Woody Hayes of the Ohio State Buckeyes shouts out from the sidelines during a NCAA football game mid circa 1970’s. Hayes coached the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1951-78. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
CIRCA 1970’s: Head Coach Woody Hayes of the Ohio State Buckeyes shouts out from the sidelines during a NCAA football game mid circa 1970’s. Hayes coached the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1951-78. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Ohio: Woody Hayes

Ohio State has a tradition-rich football history filled with Hall of Fame coaches, but Hayes’ run of nearly three decades in charge of the Buckeyes will be tough for anyone to top.

A native of Clifton, Hayes played defensive tackle at Denison University before quickly leaping into the high school ranks. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Hayes returned to coach his Alma Mater to a pair of perfect seasons in 1948 and 1949, earning him the job at Miami-Ohio.

Hayes stuck around Miami for just two years before making the jump to Ohio State, a program that was a consistent national contender at the time. By year four of the Hayes era in 1954, Ohio State compiled a perfect 10-0 record and claimed its second national title in school history.

While the Buckeyes were unable to break through with another championship under Hayes until 1968, they finished in the top 10 six different times during the stretch. Over the final 10 years of his career, Hayes made six appearances in the Rose Bowl and won at least nine games in eight individual seasons to finish his Ohio State career with a record of 205-61-10, including five of the eight championships in school history.

Hayes career abruptly came to an end in 1978 following an incident in which he punched Clemson nose guard Charlie Bauman in the Gator Bowl, denying him a chance to further add to his legacy. The Buckeyes have enjoyed dominant runs under coaches like Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer could certainly get there if he stays long enough, but Hayes is far and away the best coach in state history for now.

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