I Remember Woody

From Booklist
Woody Hayes was the Ohio State football coach from 1951 through 1978. His teams won four national titles. In his last few years, his reputation was sullied by sideline outbursts, most notably one in which Hayes punched an opposing player. This very complimentary series of recollections by players, assistant coaches, opponents, and others will erase many of the lingering effects of Hayes' outbursts. He was extraordinarily well read, cared deeply about his players, was selfless with his time, and was a devoted member of the community, often donating appearance fees back to the organizations at which he spoke. Ohio State football fans will feel vindicated by the testimony concerning Hayes' good works, but they will most enjoy the anecdotes about his temper. (Former Hayes assistant and then longtime rival Bo Schembechler recalls the time when he and Hayes threw chairs at each other in a dispute over blocking technique.) This account will please anyone interested in the history of college football. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
Woody Hayes, arguably, was one of the most colorful characters college football has ever known. Most coaches today are more computer chips and board chairmen than they are hands-on coaches. The real coaches rant and rave, they make mistakes, they wander through hospital wards cheering the infirm, and they deeply care about whether their charges graduate and make lives for themselves after football. That describes Woddy Hayes perfectly.


From the Inside Flap
Woody Hayes was a football genius and a legendary leader, as well as a complex man. Just when you think you’ve begun to understand what made him tick, along comes another story or anecdote to pull your thoughts in a new, albeit entertaining, direction. This book takes you into his inner circle for a personal, detailed look at the life and times of Woody Hayes—and, in the process, sheds some valuable light on some of his many complexities. I Remember Woody includes first-hand accounts from former players including Rex Kern, "Moose" Machinsky, Archie Griffin, John Hicks, Neal Colzie, Randy Gradishar, Doug Plank, and Paul Warfield; former staffers such as Earl Bruce, George Hill, Lou Holtz, and Ara Parseghian; former opponents including Joe Paterno, Barry Switzer, Len Dawson, Leroy Keyes, Jim Mandich, and Lee Corso; members of the media such as Keith Jackson, Jim Murray, Jack Buck, Chris Schenkel, Doug Looney, Jimmy Crum, and Bernie Lincicome; and from Hayes’ vast network of friends and fans. An important work, this book gives you a broad, balanced view—warts and all, as the Old Coach himself would say—of the man who dedicated his life to making Ohio State football and those around him better. It tears down the mythical walls and lets you nearly shake hands with or sit across the desk from one of college football’s all-time giants. Warm or bitter, the storytellers’ recollections will make you think hard about—and help you understand—what went into the makeup of this simple, yet extremely complicated, icon. Above all else, it sets the record straight.


About the Author
Steve Greenberg is the founder and president of GreenInk Consulting, which specializes in publishing, marketing, sales, and project solutions. He is the former assistant managing editor of sports for The Indianapolis Star and The Indianapolis News. He is the author of Ohio State ’68: All the Way to the Top and seven other books, and is working on an untitled novel. A newspaper reporter and editor for 23 years, he has won awards for writing, direction of coverage, and design. He lives in Carmel, Indiana, with his wife, Sally, and their daughters, Annie and Rachel. Dale Ratermann is the executive director of the Indiana Pacers Foundation. He previously served as vice president of administration and media relations director for the NBA’s Pacers. He was also named outstanding media relations director of the NBA’s Eastern Conference five times. Before joining the Pacers, Ratermann was assistant sports information director at the University of Illinois for seven years. He has authored and co-authored more than two dozen books, including The Big Ten: A Century of Excellence. He lives in Indianapolis.


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Woody Hayes was a football genius and a legendary leader, as well as a complex man. Just when you think you've begun to understand what made him tick, along comes another story or anecdote to pull your thoughts in a new, albeit entertaining, direction. This book takes you into his inner circle for a personal, detailed look at the life and times of Woody Hayes -- and, in the process, sheds some valuable light on some of his many complexities. I Remember Woody includes first-hand accounts from former players including Rex Kern, "Moose" Machinsky, Archie Griffin, John Hicks, Neal Colzie, Randy Gradishar, Doug Plank, and Paul Warfield; former staffers such as Earl Bruce, George Hill, Lou Holtz, and Ara Parseghian; former opponents including Joe Paterno, Barry Switzer, Len Dawson, Leroy Keyes, Jim Mandich, and Lee Corso; members of the media such as Keith Jackson, Jim Murray, Jack Buck, Chris Schenkel, Doug Looney, Jimmy Crum, and Bernie Lincicome; and from Hayes' vast network of friends and fans. An important work, this book gives readers a broad, balanced view -- warts and all, as the Old Coach himself would say -- of the man who dedicated his life to making Ohio State football and those around him better. It tears down the mythical walls and lets you nearly shake hands with or sit across the desk from one of college football's all-time giants. Warm or bitter, the story-tellers' recollections will make you think hard about -- and help you understand -- what went into the makeup of this simple, yet extremely complicated, icon. Above all else, it sets the record straight.


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