The Front Row

Couldn't beat Michigan. If he was .500 against them he probably would have stayed as long as he wanted.

Well deserving hall of famer. From 93-98 he had as dominating of a run as anyone. 10-1-1, 9-4, 11-2, 11-1, 10-3, 11-1. 62 wins in six years, ending two of those years ranked #2. He won three bowls during that stretch and came close to five national titles. Yes, michigan was his black mark, but the arguement is not that he is another Bear Bryant, just another great coach. He also won a number of big games. He swept notre dame and had a winning record against penn st. His 95 nonconference run included wins against boston college, washington, pitt, and notre dame. He then beat penn st on the road. Few coaches would allow his team to start a season with that schedule now.
He put together some of the best offenses in osu history. With one or two breaks going his way, he might have gone down as the greatest ever at osu. If Springs doesnt slip and clements doesnt get blindsided by the shanked punt, they probably win the nc in 96 and 98. If Kat somehow hangs on to the int at the end of the mich game in 97, they win that game and are playing for a nc that year too (although neb ended unbeaten and would have won it). No excuse for 95. Lets face it, we all love Earle but we were not on the national map after 1980. We were 9-3 every year. Coop put us in contention for the nc every year.

He had so many chances and flopped in them all. I personally feel bad for many of our talented kids who played for him and watched him choke away big games. Thank God JT stepped in and put us back on top. We were slipping into also ran territory under Cooper.

Couldn't agree with you more...

Go Bucks!!