Headed for a big fall - again

Sporting News, The, Nov 4, 1996 by Joe Posnanski

Ohio State's big game malaise predates Cooper, so don't blame him for all of the school's ills. In fact, there's a powerful myth in Columbus that Ohio State is the best football school in the world, despite the fact the Buckeyes haven't won a national little since the 1968 season, haven't won the Rose Bowl since the 1973 campaign or been to the Granddaddy of Them All since the '84 season. The myth is perpetuated even though the sainted Woody Hayes ended his career by losing to Michigan three consecutive times.

"They believe Ohio State should never, ever lose," says Bruce, now a radio announcer in Columbus. "Period."

"You lose a game, and it's personal," running back Pepe Pearson says. "As if you purposely tied to hurt (fans)."

The myth that Ohio State is invincible is powerful, and it grows stronger in memory, especially when orange leaves fall and more than 90,000 show up at the Horseshoe and a student with a tuba dots the "I" in the marching band's formation of script "Ohio." The good old days dangle proudly in storefront windows in Columbus. Woody Hayes posters. Black-and-white photos of players. Sketches of Ohio Stadium at dusk. Frank Zappa said going to Columbus meant landing in 1954.

John Cooper did not pay homage to that history. He coached football. He spoke truths. He told these people that it would take time to rebuild Ohio State football. He explained to them that it would take some effort to re-establish the Buckeyes' recruiting base. He reminded them how much more parity there was in college football.

And Columbus hated him for it. They didn't want to hear any of that. They wanted to hear about the great Ohio State. There's a story about Pete Johnson, Woody Haye's old bruiser running back. He was on a radio show with one of Cooper's defensive backs. The player started talking about what a tough team Michigan had. During a break, Pete Johnson glared at the player. "I don't want to ever again hear any of that good stuff about Michigan," he said, seething.

But Cooper's shortcomings against the Wolverines can't be ignored. He already was the man Columbus hated when he explained why he settled for a tie against Michigan. It was 1992, and his team already had lost to the Wolverines four consecutive times. That was a sin so grave that people didn't want him fired--that was too good. They thought up imaginative ways to run him out of town.

"Sure, there were times when I figured old Coop was gone," Cooper says.

On that day in 1992, Cooper teased the mob. With the score tied late in the game, and Ohio State facing fourth-and-4 from midfield, Cooper elected to punt. He did not settle for the tie--he lusted after it. An outraged Columbus wondered how a namby-pamby like that had ever gotten hold of Woody Hayes' team. Cooper explained it this way.

"You want to gamble with my chips?" he asked.

Columbus slept fitfully.

John Copper says he's a better coach than he was eight years ago. He has learned so much. He doesn't list those lessons except to say that they're little things. He doesn't say whether those little things will help the Buckeyes beat Michigan this year.