Known for his strong recruiting and coaching, Hayes coached three Heisman Trophy winners and 56 first team All-American players. Woody Hayes was honored in many ways in his life. In Hayes received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Ohio State on the occasion of his being the Commencement speaker on March 21, Woody Hayes was the subject of many stories, television shows and documentaries as the quintessential college football coach.
Perhaps the greatest achievement of his distinguished career is the way in which he has personally touched so many lives. Although he was in the public eye for many years, he had tremendous success on a more private, individual level. The compassion he felt for all of his football players was often expressed in his interest in their education and their development as members of society. He was always available to discuss problems and he was free with his advice. This personal attention was well-utilized by his players and has resulted in many life-long friendships and associations.
Woody Hayes was also available to the University community whenever it needed his help. He was a guest lecturer, advisor, spokesman, and fund raiser, among other things. They were not completely surprised when something bad happened. Park strongly believes Hayes' health had a lot to do with what happened in Hayes' fateful, final game.
The score was Clemson was leading Ohio State. With under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Hayes had to abandon his beloved running game and rely on freshman quarterback Art Schlichter. Schlichter dropped back and tried to get the ball to a receiver crossing over the middle. But Charlie Bauman cut in front of the pass and intercepted it.
Bauman was tackled in front of the Ohio State sideline, and in the ruckus that ensued, Hayes threw a punch into Bauman's throat. Those watching from the stands and those watching on TV were not privy to what actually happened in the scrum on the Ohio State sideline.
Harry Blaine was at the game and recounted what he saw after Schlichter's pass was intercepted. Then calm was restored and the game went on. After the interception, Clemson was able to run out the clock and win the game. But shortly after, the talk changed from Clemson beating Ohio State to what Hayes had done on the sideline.
When I make a mistake, I take the blame and go on from there. I just despise to lose, and that has taken a man of mediocre ability and made a pretty good coach out of him. Ohio State's athletic director Hugh Hindman held an impromptu press conference the morning after the game. While the team was on the plane at the Jacksonville airport, Hindman announced Hayes would no longer be the coach.
Hayes let others try to invent new weapons. He wanted to mold the best men. Yet here he was, letting a freshman quarterback fling it around. And it was working. Ohio State faced third-and-five from the Clemson 24, needing at least a field goal to take the lead. Barely two minutes remained. But the kid was playing so well that the Buckeyes decided to throw. Pass protection had been a weakness for Ohio State all year, but it would not be a problem on this play.
The Buckeyes linemen expertly executed their assignments. Poor Clemson noseguard Charlie Bauman tried to make a move to his right and got nowhere. Bauman went left, and Tim Vogler blocked him. Bauman could have rushed for another 15 seconds and he never would have touched Art Schlichter. Schlichter was in the pocket, going through his progressions.
He looked for receiver Doug Donley, but Donley was covered. Next, he looked for Ron Springs, who was open. Schlichter threw to Springs. Bauman stepped to his left, intercepted the pass and took off. Anybody who knew Hayes knew what he was thinking: Goddamn.
This was the sort of thing you expected when you got into the passing game. The Buckeyes had done everything right—Schlichter went through his progressions and threw to the right man, the linemen had blocked perfectly—and they still threw an interception.
Who will win the College Football Playoff? Making the case for each team. Hayes had diabetes and heart problems; his health was worst at the end of the season, and his blood sugar was most out of whack at night. Bauman got up, looked up at all those Southerners in the crowd and raised his hands in celebration. Bauman looked over at the Old Man like he might have looked at a poodle nipping at his pants.
Bauman was in full pads and a helmet; Hayes was in a windbreaker and a black cap, flailing at him. He just retreated toward his teammates on the field as Hayes kept grabbing at him. Clemson players ran over to the sideline; Ohio State players scuffled with them. From his seat behind the Clemson sideline, Enarson could not see what happened. It was too foggy, too confusing.
But Ohio State athletic director Hugh Hindman had a better view. But up in the press box, Keith Jackson had not seen the punch. All he saw was the melee. Oh, come on now. America would not let him get away with this one—not in , not on national television. One punch had ended it—and not much of a punch, either. Heck, Woody obviously did not mean to hurt the kid. After all, Hayes punched Bauman with his right hand. The locker room cleared out fairly quickly.
When George arrived, the Old Man was sitting in a folding chair in the middle of the locker room, his glasses in his hand, his head down. Hayes did not want to go back to the hotel with the Buckeyes. He had embarrassed them enough for one night.
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