Rich Rodriguez, Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer and Woody Hayes make ESPN's list of 'most hated' coaches
Ex-Ohio State coach Jim Tressel joined former Michigan boss Rich Rodriguez on ESPN's 10 'most hated' coaches list.
Associated Press
Three Buckeyes and one former Wolverine are among the most hated coaches in college football history, says one ESPN scribe.
Former Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez was joined by ex-Ohio State coaches Jim Tressel and Woody Hayes, as well as current OSU coach Urban Meyer, on ESPN's list of the 10 "most hated" college football coaches of all time.
"West Virginia fans absolutely loved Rodriguez, a former WVU defensive back, when he guided the Mountaineers to 60 victories and two BCS bowl games from 2001 to 2007," writes ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach. "But WVU fans literally drove Rodriguez and his family from his native state after he abruptly left the school to become Michigan’s coach in 2008.
"Wolverines fans don’t like him too much, either, after Rodriguez went 15-22 in three seasons."
It wasn't all bad for Rodriguez, though, as he finished No. 10 on the list. Meyer came in at No. 7, while Tressel entered the list at No. 9.
Hayes?
He sits behind only South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier on Schlabach's list.
"One of the most successful coaches in history, Hayes guided Ohio State to 13 Big Ten titles and three consensus national championships," Schlabach wrote. "But he is perhaps best remembered for his chronically boorish behavior, which included physical confrontations with sportswriters, photographers, opposing coaches and athletics directors, referees and even opposing players."
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
osubetterthanu
Sun, May 27, 2012 : 4:16 a.m.
This is just people hating winners. Woody was a winner although was harsh. JT was a winner so everyone hated him anyways and the tatoo gate only made this much worse. Urban just wins and will continue to win at TOSU! Quit hating people!
Rejw
Mon, May 28, 2012 : 4:10 p.m.
Woody- started out as great coach, later lost his mind, had to be retired Tressel- finally got caught cheating, properly disgraced Oscar Meyer- quit when the going got tough at Florida, but will win championships at tOSU since there is no pressure to win there
genetracy
Sun, May 27, 2012 : 2:40 a.m.
If a poll was conducted of the top 10 most overrated coaches of all time, Bo Schembechler would be at the top of the list.
Tom
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
Not Bo Schembechler the walking time bomb? I am shocked!!! Funny to see the running man mention Dantonio! Nobody hates on him outside of Ann Arbor because all he does is kick Wolverine butt! Where's the threat?
azwolverine
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
'Slightly' threatened? That's an understatement. I do agree with you on D'antonio though, Tom, but for a different reason. Nobody hates him outside of A2 because no one outside of Michigan has heard of him.
garrisondyer
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.
You decide where the threat is, Tom. And I know you didn't ask me for my advice, but I'll give it freely and you can use it or dispense with it as you choose. When you keep repeating "Where's the threat?" over and over again, you begin to come off as slightly threatened.
RWBill
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.
Not Bobby Petrino? Woody is also one of the most adored and revered of all time, particularly by Black athletes of the 50s and early 60s, and Bo.
KeepingItReal
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 12:09 p.m.
Seriously! Is there any news value to this?
Kristin
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 6:14 a.m.
Nick, you're the best writer on this site! :)
michboy40
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 2:21 a.m.
I would be interested to see which coaches are the most hated of all time, with some fan and coaches polls to back it up. Not just one writers opinion.
stihl1
Fri, May 25, 2012 : 11:56 p.m.
I'm just glad RR is long gone.
7718
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 2:19 a.m.
Luckily his recruits are still here.
Hailmary
Fri, May 25, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.
It's time for the season to begin.
MRunner73
Fri, May 25, 2012 : 9:31 p.m.
Who can argue with this list? Well, a few hundred thousand in Columbus, maybe a few hundred more thousand across ohio. Oh well...I would add Mark Dantonio to that list, Lane Kiffin and Bobby Petrino just to be fair.
azwolverine
Fri, May 25, 2012 : 10:35 p.m.
No doubt on Bobby Petrino.
Commoncents
Fri, May 25, 2012 : 9:13 p.m.
Just another fluff piece to get people talking - football can't get here soon enough. Ya' know though, it does make me wonder - who hates Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer and what for ? As a Michigan guy of course I don't like either, but does the whole nation feel that way ? I guess I underestimated both of those...
azwolverine
Fri, May 25, 2012 : 8:39 p.m.
In other words, 40% of these coaches are coaches that UM fans don't like. Obviously, the football world revolves around Michigan and our fan base. Just saying'...
Eric Anderson
Fri, May 25, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
How great is it that THREE OSU coaches are on the list, while only one UM coach (and one pretty much driven out of town). Meyer will be disliked even more after he retires for health problems in a year or two, after trashing a great program even more.
Hebner
Sun, May 27, 2012 : 10:47 p.m.
Driven out of town! His coaching had nothing to do with his ride! right. I was at the Mississippi State bowl game loss, and it was embarrassing for a Michigan team to look so lethargic. Meyer cannot trash a great program because it was never great!
barnz378
Fri, May 25, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.
Why, because the fans say so? These are or were pretty good coaches at their game.
EyeHeartA2
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 3:30 a.m.
"Why, because the fans say so?" Ummmm yeah, because fans are the ones doing the hating. This list wasn't most successful of all time or best at getting tattoos or best at slugging opposing players or whatever, it was most hated. Fans do the hating.
Nick Baumgardner
Fri, May 25, 2012 : 8:21 p.m.
Boy, I thought the same thing, barnz. Lots of wins and titles on that list. Nick