Bo Schembechler

SI Staff | Nov 17, 2006

Bo Schembechler /

Bo Schembechler

After earning his diploma from Miami (Ohio) University, Bo Schembechler earned his master's degree from Ohio State in 1952 while working as a graduate assistant under Woody Hayes.

Schembechler had brief coaching stints as an assistant at Presbyterian College, Bowling Green and Northwestern, but then he returned to Ohio State to work as one of Hayes' most trusted assistants for five seasons.

In 1963, Schembechler received his first head coaching job with Miami (Ohio) University. Over the next six seasons, Schembechler compiled a 40-17-3 record and led the Redskins (now RedHawks) to a pair of MAC titles.

Schembechler became Michigan's 13th head coach -- succeeding Bump Elliot -- following the 1968 season.

Schembechler may have achieved the biggest win of his career in his first season at the helm of the Wolverines, playing against his former boss Woody Hayes for the first time. Ohio State entered the game as the defending national champs, 17-point favorites and with a No. 1 ranking. At the time, many observers considered the 1969 Ohio State team one of the greatest ever. But Schembechler's 7-2 Wolverines upset Ohio State 24-12.

After Michigan's shocking 1969 win, Schembechler engaged in a "Ten Year War" that took the Michigan-Ohio State game to a new level (many consider it the greatest rivalry in sports). Schembechler held a 5-4-1 edge in the legendary series.

At Michigan, Schembechler recorded a 194-48-5 mark (the school record for wins). His teams won or shared 13 Big Ten titles and made 10 appearances in the Rose Bowl (winning just two). He was named national Coach of the Year in 1969.

Schembechler was known for his fiery antics on the sidelines. His teams were known for stout defenses and a bruising running game.

Schembechler served as the Michigan athletic director from 1988 to 1990. From 1990 to 1992 he worked as president of the Detroit Tigers.

Schembechler, shown here with former Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington, had a well-documented battle with heart disease. He suffered one heart attack on the eve of his first Rose Bowl, in 1970, and another one in 1987. He had two quadruple heart bypass operations. During a hospitalization last month, Schembechler had a device implanted to regulate his heartbeat. He was 77 when he died.

Published Nov 17, 2006

SI STAFF