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Clemson’s Most Hated: Who Would Tiger Fans Heckle in Public?

By Eddie Becker

Sep 3, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Former Florida Gators head coach Steve Spurrier reacts to the crowd after being honored at mid field before a football game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Former Florida Gators head coach Steve Spurrier reacts to the crowd after being honored at mid field before a football game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes fans prepare a display of an animated rendering of former head coach Woody Hayes before the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes fans prepare a display of an animated rendering of former head coach Woody Hayes before the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

Woody Hayes

Yes, Woody Hayes is dead. Yes, if you’re under the age of 35, you may not even know who he is. But if he were alive today, he likely wouldn’t be offered a seat in the Esso Club. Let’s take a quick look at why he holds a special place of annoyance in Clemson history.

In 1978, Clemson matched up with Ohio State in the Gator Bowl. Woody Hayes, the coach of the Buckeyes, had guided the team to 7 wins that season in a strong Big 10 conference. Late in the game, down 17-15, Ohio State was driving downfield in field goal range. On third down, Art Schlichter threw a pass that was intercepted by Clemson linebacker Charlie Bauman. As Bauman ran out of bounds, Hayes promptly stormed towards him and punched Bauman in the throat. 

Clemson went on to win the game, Bauman shrugged off the hit from Hayes, and Hayes was subsequently fired shortly after. It would be the final game Woody Hayes would ever coach. And though it remains an odd moment in college football history, Clemson fans wouldn’t take too kind to Woody strolling into town. Imagine today if something like that happened. Can you picture Nick Saban taking a jab at Ben Boulware? Yeah, me either.

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