I was doing some book editing tonight, and read a section where I had used Coach Hayes "Coming Out" speech. That speech at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce luncheon was Woody's first public remarks after the Gator Bowl incident, and made several weeks after his firing. No one knew ahead of time what he would say, and some folks think it is one of the best he ever gave.

In any case, as I read what Woody said back then, I thought of this past week and all the criticism by the armchair quarterbacks, by the Buckeye Bandwagon fans used to nothing but winning, and by many of the cynical pundits - criticism of the players, the coach, and of the University. You name it. They are criticizing it.

Certainly it is a time of turmoil. But Woody too spoke in a time of turmoil, and maybe he as much as anyone had reason to be critical. Instead, here is what our old coach said that day about those times and the school that fired him:

"This new organization needs all the help they can get. Newspaper, radio, television, every honorable way you can help. Now later on, I can't tell you not to take potshots, you will. But for heavens' sake, get on the bandwagon now! I'm saying that, I'm giving you advice, because they need it now. Not later, but now..."

A whole lot of folks would do well to heed the words of Coach Hayes, and chill a bit!