Woody Hayes: A Reflection

by Paul Hornung

This book takes a look at the many sides of the intense, competitive, complex man whose name is synonymous with Ohio State football. A college football legend whose gridiron success spanned 28 seasons, Hayes guided 7 Buckeye Rose Bowl teams and 13 Big Ten Championship teams, and recorded 205 wins, 61 losses and 10 ties. His teams produced 58 All-Americans, 3 Heisman Trophy winners, and generations of dedicated OSU football fans. Perceived by many...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0915611422
• ISBN13: 9780915611423
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Sagamore Publishing
• Length: 281 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

The One and Only

Woody Hayes did not enjoy a good relationship with the press. The notable exception was longtime Columbus Dispatch editor, Paul Hornung. Woody not only like Hornung, but considered him a close friend. Hornung's privileged status lead to him getting stories that others didn't, even if his rivals maintained that his closeness jeopardized his journalistic integrity. In reading WOODY HAYES: A REFLECTION, Hornung's personal fondness for his friend dominates. Woody ever visiting hospitals; Woody ever concerned about his players graduating; Woody not wanting to take a cent from anyone; Woody the endless worker; even Woody the intellect. This is more Woody the man loved by many who knew him, which leads one to surmise that Hornung was trying to rescue Hayes's reputation when he wrote this in 1991. Still, an interesting read on a very interesting man.

Tossing A Touchdown.....I Mean, Running To Paydirt

Woody Hayes became an icon in Columbus, Ohio, as much for his sense of community as being head football coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Paul Hornung,a former sports editor for The Columbus Dispatch, penned the book after Hayes fell from grace with his firing after striking Clemson player Charlie Bauman in the 1978 Gator Bowl, a game that was nationally-televised. There was so much more to Hayes than the seemingly out-of-control maurauder tearing up yard-markers and intimidating game officials. Hornung brings balance from recollections of a variety of sources. But as with any head coach at a major football program - no matter the era - it all came down to wins and loses. Hayes was on the hot seat before the "Super Sophomores" of 1968 destroyed Michigan enroute to a National Championship. Talk about intensity; banners were flown over the stadium before the title chase stating that Hayes should be fired! Many years went by before Hayes acknowledged reporters from Sports Illustrated, after a comment he made in the publication - actually acknowledging a violation of NCAA rules - caused the program to be placed on minor probation. And there were fans who contended for years that Hayes prevented Vic Janowicz from winning a second Heisman Trophy by revamping an offense that had relied heavily on the all-purpose back. But through it all, Hayes never deviated from his personal game-plan of life. He was a teacher as much as a coach and would not skirt any controversy if he thought he was doing the right thing for the university and his team. Hornung is not the only writer to try to get a true perspective on Hayes; but he is one of a handful who got awfully close.

Woody Hayes: A Reflection

For all true Buckeye fans, this is by far the best book I have read about Woody Hayes. It explores his background of family and education and his entrance into the game of football. Written by his friend Paul Hornung, former Sports Editor of The Columbus Dispatch. Also includes many stories from different individuals, both in and out of football, whose lives were touched by this legendary man. Highly recommended reading for all who are interested in football, life, and education.