High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Wayne Woodrow Woody Hayes (February 14, 1913 March 12, 1987) was a college football coach who won three national titles and 13 Big Ten championships in 28 years as head coach at the Ohio State University between 1951 and 1978. Hayes also coached at Denison University, his alma mater, and Miami University before Ohio State. Born in Clifton, Ohio, Hayes played center at Newcomerstown High School in Newcomerstown, Ohio. At Denison University, he played tackle under coach Tom Rogers, and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. After graduating from Denison in 1935, Hayes went on to serve as an assistant at two Ohio high schools: Mingo Junction in 1935-36 and New Philadelphia in 1937. When New Philadelphia head coach John Brickels left to accept another position, Hayes was elevated to the head coaching position, where he put together a 17-2-1 record in his first two seasons before enduring a 1-9 record in 1940.