Stumbled upon this by accident looking for something else doing a Google search. I think we all know how much opinions vary on here on the current state of our program but this was a reminder that we could most definitely be worse off.

http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/07260...

It was certainly a good refresher on how far we have come, for me at least. I want a MAC title bad and I can at least feel that it is possible. When this story was written we couldn't even sniff one.

Some names here will take you down memory lane (they did for me)!

That thought that 'at least we're no long the worst team ever'--I'm amazed that anyone could have such low standards.

We're in the freaking MAC, a league in which every year there are about 6 total patsies. Then our out of conf sched brings us 2-3 patsies.

Yeah, let's all get really excited--put that Cavs celebration to shame--when we go .500.

Derek's now works for South Carolina's IMG sports.

http://www.gamecocksonline.com/school-bio/staff-directory...

Generally one puts his foot on the first rung of the ladder before climbing higher.

The alumni awakening for Ohio Football started with Grobe. That's when the school became serious about marketing the program and putting in facilities. Knorr's wilderness years blunted further advances. Then came Solich and the day he became coach the bar raised instantly. Schaus hiring moved it up another level from facilities to game day atmosphere. What this program is lacking is a breakthrough player be it QB, RB or WR that is a human highlight reel. I hope Solich wins the MAC this year but I don't see him attracting that one player we need. I'm talking a 5 star who decides to sign and make this program his own.

It's because Ohio doesn't market a system that would even allow that. It doesn't throw the ball enough for a high profile QB to come play here. And Ohio is so "team-oriented" (not a bad thing) that I don't know if the culture would support it. Ohio has had great RBs and WRs already that have helped make tremendous strides for the program.

But the QB is always the face of your program and Ohio hasn't had one yet that I can point to and say "yup, he's OUR guy." Tettleton came close.

Of course all of the QBs Ohio has had have been technically "ours", but there was never a significant impact that lifted the identity of the program nationally. Like I said, TT came close.

For an example, think of all the small schools who have had great QBs in the past you can automatically think of or you can point to and be like "yeah he went to THAT school":

Nevada - Kaepernick
Miami - Big Ben
BG - Matt Johnson, Omar Jacobs
NIU - Chandler Harnish, Jordan Lynch
WKU - Brandon Doughty
ECU - Shane Carden, David Garrard
Utah St - Chuckie Keeton
Boise St. - Kellen Moore
Utah (pre-Pac 12) - Alex Smith
TCU (pre Big 12) - Andy Dalton
Marshall - Leftwich, Pennington

When I think of Ohio, I don't think of the ONE GUY who has lifted this program. I think of Solich, sure. But we need that one guy. I just don't know how soon or if it will.

Tettleton was our "guy" like many listed above for other programs. We beat Penn State on national TV and were the talk of the nation after that win. We broke into the Top 25 and looked like a program that was breaking out. The collapse of that team and the follow-up season is something (like many here) I cannot began to comprehend. Equally baffling and crushing.

I don't blame that on Frank Solich. I'm happy we were in that position considering that wasn't even in our wildest dreams prior to Frank. I believe Frank Solich and staff are capable of making another run at that kind of success.

I firmly believe this is the best defense we've had under Frank. Rod's last year as President might be a special one.

I really think there was something more going on with T^2 than just injury. I don't know what, or who was to blame (if anyone), but there was an obvious disconnect his senior season. Sad, because like the rest of you, I really think he could have been "the guy."

It's because of that collapse that I don't put TT in that regard. How I remember TT is that puzzling senior year. Fair or unfair, that's what I think of. I loved what he did for us against PSU and that season as a whole, and the bowl win in the Potato. But I don't think I'm alone in thinking "what could have been" had things not blown up.

More Joe Sherrill, please. Guys with heart can always find a place.

Who is the best head coach Ohio football has had the last 40 years?

So last 40 years, 1975-2015. This catches coach Hess' final three seasons; 1975-1977. During these three seasons coach Hess was 13-19-1 and 9-13-1 in the MAC. Those were different times, losing 0-20 to William & Mary, beating NIU 63-15, beating Marshall 49-27. What the heck happened in 1977, his final season, 1-10, 0-8 in the MAC? Hess deserves high ranking, he won four MACC in 19 seasons, but, what happened in 1977?

After our 1968 MAC title, Ohio was, AT BEST, mediocre under Hess from 69 through 77.

If you want to argue "what has Frank done for me lately" you certainly cannot claim any different for Hess.

Frank hasn't won a MAC Title, Hess never won a bowl game. "Bowl games are easy today." I've got news for you, MAC Championships were easier back then. There was no MAC Championship game. You finished 1st after the regular season, you won. Frank has won 3 MAC East Championships.

Other than Don Peden, I've had Frank Solich #1 for the entire history of our program.