Wayne W. Hayes

Wayne Woodrow (Woody) Hayes was born on February 14, 1913, in Clifton, Ohio. He attended Newcomerstown High School and participated in the school's baseball, basketball and football teams. He was captain of the football team during his senior year. In 1935, Hayes graduated from Denison University, having majored in History and English, with a minor in Physical Education. He went to graduate school at The Ohio State University and received his master's degree in Educational Administration in 1948.

Hayes' first coaching job was at Mingo Junction High School in Mingo Junction, Ohio, as an assistant coach. This was followed by another assistant coach position at New Philadelphia (Ohio) High School. There, Hayes met his future wife, Anne Gross, whom he married in 1942. Hayes became head coach in 1938, and he remained there until he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941.

Upon returning from active duty in 1946, Hayes returned to Denison University to become head coach of its football program. This was followed by a head coaching position at Miami University. In 1951, Hayes accepted the position of head football coach for The Ohio State University, beginning his 28-season legacy with the university. During his coaching career at OSU, Hayes compiled an overall record of 238-72-10. The football program logged 13 Big Ten titles and five national championships under his leadership, as well. Following a physical altercation with a student in the 1978 Gator Bowl, Hayes was fired from his position as head coach. Still, Hayes remained at the university as a professor, maintaining an office in Converse Hall, the ROTC facility on campus.

Hayes accumulated countless awards during his career. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983, and in March 1986 he was the commencement speaker for Ohio State University.

On March 12, 1987, at the age of 74, Wayne Woodrow Hayes died in Upper Arlington, Ohio.

From the guide to the Wayne W. "Woody" Hayes Papers, 1920-2005, 1979-1987, (The Ohio State University Archives.)