His reservoir of goodwill was hardly big enough for a decent-sized drainage ditch. Cooper never really fit Even in the good years, Columbus never really embraced Cooper. His twang betrayed his southern roots and reminded finicky fans that their coach was not a native-born Buckeye. When Geiger decided to make a change, he did not need much political cover. It didn't help that offensive tackle Tyson Walter is suing center LaCharles Bentley for injuries suffered from a preseason punch or that linebacker Matt Wilhelm questioned the leadership of captain Ken-Yon Rambo last week.
College administrators have a curious ability to overlook scandal when a coach is in favor.
By providing improper handouts to his players, Woody Hayes put the Buckeyes on probation in 1956. Yet because he already had won a national championship and two Big Ten titles, his job was never in jeopardy. Hayes remained bulletproof until he assaulted Clemson's Charlie Bauman in the 1978 Gator Bowl. Contrary and charismatic, temperamental yet premeditated, Hayes set an impossible standard for both performance and personality. Woody has been dead nearly 14 years, but a lot of Buckeye fans believe he's still the best man for the job.