Woody Hayes

Date of Birth: February 14, 1913

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: March 12, 1987

Biography

Woody Hayes, born Wayne Woodrow Hayes, was an iconic American football coach, best known for his time with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was born on February 14, 1913, in Clifton, Ohio, and became a central figure in college football, known for his intense coaching style and remarkable success on the field. Hayes began his coaching career at various high schools before moving on to college football. He coached at Denison University and Miami University before taking the head coach position at Ohio State University in 1951. During his tenure at Ohio State, Hayes led the Buckeyes to five national championships and 13 Big Ten Conference titles. His coaching philosophy centered on a powerful running game and a tenacious defense. He was also known for his fiery temperament, which ultimately led to his dismissal in 1978 after an incident in which he struck an opposing player. Despite this, Hayes’ legacy in college football remains influential.

5 Interesting Facts about Woody Hayes

1. Woody Hayes served as a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy during World War II.

2. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

3. Hayes is famous for his “three yards and a cloud of dust” offensive philosophy.

4. He earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Ohio State.

5. Hayes was known for his intense study of military history and often integrated lessons from historical battles into his coaching strategy.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Woody Hayes

1. “Paralyze resistance with persistence.”

2. “There’s nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you.”

3. “The only way we’d get beaten was if we got a little fat-headed, if we didn’t train right, if we got overconfident.”

4. “Success is the only motivational factor that a boy with character needs.”

5. “You’ll find out that nothing that comes easy is worth a dime. As a matter of fact, I never saw a football player make a tackle with a smile on his face. Never.”