John Cooper inducted into the College Hall of Fame, what do
you remember of the Cooper years at Ohio
State?
Bill Smith: While some people question Coop's ability to
make adjustments during a game, no one can ever doubt his ability to find
talent and recruit it. OSU put more all
pro quality players into the NFL during his time than any other team. Like so many coaches at OSU, if you don't
beat your rival, you don't last. Just
ask Lloyd Carr.
Pete Quint: I was in the Ohio State Marching Band from
1992-1996 and saw some amazing events unfold.
Eddie George running for 316 yards against a Simeon Rice led Illinois. David Boston walking into the end zone with under
2 minutes to play in the fourth quarter of the Rose Bowl. Whupping up two years
in a row on loud mouth Ron Powlus and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Beating Michigan 22-6 in 1994 (thank you Marlon Kerner). I also remember the missed Rose Bowls in
1993, 1995 and 1996 because of losses to Michigan
and three awful trips to crappy Orlando
for the Citrus Bowl. The Cooper years
were a real rollercoaster for Buckeye Nation as every high was filled with and
equal or greater low. Still, Coach Cooper was a great coach and I'm proud that
he was a Buckeye.
Eric Geier: Unfortunately, all I remember is the Columbus
Dispatch ripping him for not beating Michigan every year, some other highlights
I remember include the Michigan St. game, the Rose Bowl win and all of the
great players that came through Ohio State during that era.
Ryan Leonardo: I remember that he couldn't beat Michigan and always had
problems with player relationships.
Other than the negatives, he was the best recruiter of talent I have
ever seen. Clements, Bentley, Winfield, George, Vrable, Pace, Pickett, Diggs,
etc. The list could go on for days.
Steve Patterson: John Cooper was the Lloyd Carr of Ohio State.
Great recruiter but had a little trouble with the big games. Michigan
will always love Lloyd for the great years and talented teams just like Ohio State
will always love John Cooper.