Athletes - Bo Schembechler

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	Athletes - Bo Schembechler

Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler (born April 1, 1929) is an American football coach. He is best known as the head coach at the University of Michigan, where he coached from 1969 until 1989. Schembechler won a total of 235 games, with only Joe Paterno and Tom Osborne recording 200 victories in fewer games. A consummate "coach's coach", Schembechler combined superb technical command of the game with a fiery disposition. He preached a football fundamentalist's gospel and was a terrific motivator. As a result, Schembechler's Michigan teams were known for their physical, fundamentally sound, and fierce -- if not imaginative -- style of play. Under his watch, the Wolverines traditionally featured strong defense, dominating offensive lines, and a power-running attack. Though combative -- he was prone to sideline outbursts -- Schembechler was widely regarded as a coach of great personal integrity. He coached for more than 20 years at the major conference level without a hint of scandal.

Miami University and Early Coaching Jobs

Schembechler grew up in Barberton, Ohio. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he played football under two legendary (and completely contrary) coaches. Sid Gillman (his first coach at Miami) was a remarkably innovative offensive coach and is one of the fathers of the modern passing game. His concepts helped to form the foundation for today's "west coast" offense. Gillman took another coaching job before Schembechler's last year and was replaced by Wayne Woodrow ("Woody") Hayes -- who could not have been more unlike Gillman. Hayes embraced the run, eschewed the pass, and demanded tough, physical play from his linemen. Rather than innovation, Hayes stressed repetition -- he wanted his players to run each play flawlessly. And over the next forty years, there was never any question whether Gillman or Hayes had a bigger influence on Schembechler. Schembechler's teams at Michigan were almost carbon copies of Woody Hayes' Ohio State teams.

Schembechler graduated from Miami University in 1951 and served as a graduate assistant coach for a year on Hayes' staff at Ohio State University. After serving in the Army and earning his master's degree, he moved on to serve as an assistant at Presbyterian College in 1954, followed by a one-year stint as freshman coach at Bowling Green State University the next year. When Ara Parseghian (a team-mate of Schembechler's at Miami University) was hired as head coach at Northwestern University in 1956, Schembechler joined him and spent the next two seasons as a defensive assistant.

In 1958, Hayes hired Schembechler to serve on his staff at Ohio State. Schembechler spent five years at Ohio State and became one of Hayes' most trusted assistants. During that time, the two cemented their lifelong friendship.

Head Coach at Miami University

In 1963, Schembechler returned to Miami University to become head coach. Over the next six seasons, Schembechler would lead the Redskins to a 40-17-3 record, winning a pair of Mid-American Conference titles, while finishing second twice.

Head Coach at Univeristy of Michigan

Schembechler became Michigan's 13th head coach after the 1968 season. He succeeded Chalmers W. "Bump" Elliot. While at Michigan, Schembechler became one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. He won a school-record 194 games, lost only 48, and tied five for a winning percentage of .796. In Big Ten Conference play, he was better still, with a record of 143-24-3 for a winning percentage of .850. His Michigan teams won or shared 13 Big Ten titles, and made 10 Rose Bowl appearances.

Schembechler led the Wolverines to 17 bowl games in 21 years, placing him ninth in all-time bowl appearances, while never posting a losing season. He was voted national Coach of the Year in 1969 by both the American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association of America.

Ironically, Schembechler's greatest victory came in his first season at the hands of his old mentor. While Hayes' Buckeyes feasted during the late 1950's and 1960's, Michigan fielded a number of uncharacteristically mediocre teams. Hayes' 1968 team made it clear how far Michigan had fallen behind its traditional rival, as the Wolverines lost 50-14. At the end of the game, Hayes decided to pursue a two-point conversion, rather than a simple kick for an extra point. When the conversion was successful, it brought the score to a full 50 points. Asked why he "went for two," Hayes responded "Because I couldn't go for three." That remark set the stage for the 1969 rematch.

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