Bo makes a point

Woody makes a point

The Ten Year War

Of all the coaching match-ups in the long Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, none has been more intense and at times bitter than that between Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler. For ten years the two dominated the "Big 2 and Little 8," splitting ten conference titles between them and finishing second eight times. Hayes supposedly could not bring himself to speak the name of "that school up north" and Schembechler, who played for Hayes at Miami of Ohio and was an Ohio State assistant coach, savored nothing more than putting it to his old mentor. After a decade of memorable on-field stratagems, sideline antics, and locker room psychological ploys, the two coaches came out almost dead-even, Schembechler holding a slim 5-4-1 advantage.

Bitter rivals on the field, Woody and "Bo" had a deep respect
for each other and their mutual commitment to winning.

Woody on Bo:
"If 'Bo' is not a winner, I never saw one and I should know. He beat me the last three games we played. We've fought and quarreled for years but we're great friends." [Quoted in The Lantern February 10, 1986.]

Bo on Woody:
"There was plenty to criticize about Woody Hayes. His methods were tough, his temper was, at times, unforgivable. And, unless you knew him or played for him, it is hard to explain why you liked being around the guy. But you didn't just like it, you loved it. He was simply fascinating." [From Bo by Bo Schembechler and Mitch Albom.]

Ufer on Woody and Bo:
Michigan radio announcer Bob Ufer recites his epic "Burying Wood Hayes"