Woody Hayes was in trouble. After his 1966 Ohio State Buckeyes suffered through a dismal 4–5 season, fans were calling for the mercurial coach’s firing. A plane circled Ohio Stadium trailing a banner proclaiming “Goodbye Woody

Woody Hayes, the legendary Ohio State Buckeyes head coach, was facing intense scrutiny and pressure in the aftermath of a disappointing 1966 season. The Buckeyes, who had been national powerhouses under Hayes, finished with a frustrating 4-5 record, a stark contrast to their usual dominance. Fans, who had grown accustomed to Ohio State’s success, were vocal in their disappointment, and many began calling for Hayes’ dismissal. The media, too, was not kind, with reporters questioning whether Hayes had lost his touch.

The situation reached a boiling point when a plane was seen flying over Ohio Stadium, trailing a banner that read, “Goodbye Woody.” It was a public spectacle, one that painted a clear picture of the discontent among fans and the growing calls for change. For a coach who had built the foundation of Ohio State’s football program and was revered for his fiery passion and leadership, this public display of dissatisfaction was a major blow.

Hayes, who had been at the helm of Ohio State since 1951, was no stranger to controversy and pressure. His intense, often volatile personality had earned him both admiration and criticism. But the 1966 season had tested his ability to maintain control of his program, especially after a series of losses that many felt were uncharacteristic of an Ohio State team.

Despite the mounting pressure and the public backlash, Hayes remained defiant. He took full responsibility for the team’s underperformance, but he also vowed to rebound and get the program back on track. Hayes knew that football at Ohio State was a high-stakes game, and his position was always vulnerable to the whims of impatient fans. Still, his commitment to turning things around never wavered.

What followed, however, was a remarkable turnaround that cemented Hayes’ legacy. The very next season, in 1967, the Buckeyes returned to dominance, finishing 9-1 and winning the Big Ten title. Hayes was able to rebuild his team, leading them to success once again, and silencing his critics in the process. Over the following years, he would go on to lead Ohio State to national championships, further cementing his status as one of college football’s most legendary coaches.

The banner and the calls for his firing in 1966 are now seen as part of the story that shaped Hayes’ legendary career. Though he faced adversity and doubts, Woody Hayes’ resilience in the face of criticism would ultimately define his legacy as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time.