CHRIS SPIELMAN : Woody Hayes Would Have Loved Coaching This Ohio State Linebacker

COLUMBUS, Ohio —  It’s a shame Chris Spielman came along too late to play his football at Ohio State under Woody Hayes.

That’s not a knock at present Ohio State Coach Earle Bruce, under whom Spielman has had three sensational years, but the Buckeyes’ 6-foot-2, 236-pound senior linebacker and the legendary Hayes, who died March 12, were cut from the same mold.

Hayes coached Ohio State from 1951 through 1978 the same way Spielman plays the game--with the intensity of a man possessed.

Hayes, whose sideline demeanor won him national notoriety, was a kind and sensitive individual off the field. Spielman’s vicious hits also belie the way he is when he takes off the helmet and pads.

“I don’t think I’m a very tough guy off the field,” he said. “Ask anybody who knows me. During the off-season, except in the weight room and when training, I’m very laid back. I’m into HBO and ESPN and video games. If that’s tough, then our country’s in trouble.

“I’m a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde type. When I’m on the field, or lifting or running, I try to be the meanest, nastiest son of a gun who ever walked. I don’t want anybody else bothering me. That’s my time, not anybody else’s.”

As was Hayes, Spielman knows he may be misunderstood.

“If people have a misconception about me, they might think I’m different in the way I approach the game in that I make it my life,” said Spielman. “Some people think I take it too seriously.

“They might think that will be detrimental to me when I’m done playing. But, a lot of people don’t know I’ll be coaching football anyway when I’m done. I’m not going to go through a fall without being a part of a team or program somehow.”

Spielman, who led Ohio State with 205 total tackles last year and needs 183 this season to surpass Marcus Marek as the Buckeye career leader, can’t envision ever being out of football.

“There might be a point when I’m on my death bed,” said Spielman. “But, I’ll be like Coach Hayes. I’ll be a part of a program forever. Hopefully, it will be here.”

Spielman’s love for the game of football came naturally. His father, Charles (Sonny) Spielman, now the athletic director at the famed Massillon Washington High School, also was a coach. He introduced both Chris and older son Rick to the game at an early age.

“I knew what an I-formation was when I was six years old,” said Spielman. “I knew what a veer was, I knew what a full house was, or a T-formation. I knew a 50 defense, the four-four defense, I knew pass drops. I think that has carried over.

“I take great pride in being a knowledgeable football player. I watch more film here than anybody. By the time the game rolls around, I know my opponent inside out.

“I’m at the point now where I know offensive line blocking schemes; I know every coverage we run, what every guy does; I know our running plays; I know what every guy does on offense. I’m always studying, being a student of the game.”

The Buckeyes, 10-3 a year ago and picked No. 3 in the UPI Board of Coaches preseason poll, lost all-American wide receiver Cris Carter last month when he was declared ineligible for accepting money from and signing a contract with an agent.

Despite the loss of Carter, Spielman claims the early signs point to a “very positive” attitude among the players.

“It’s better to happen then than during the season,” he said of the Carter situation. “During the season, it could disrupt everything. Right now, people knew it happened. He’s gone. He’s got another career and that’s it.

“But, I think if Cris Carter had to do it all over again, he’d rather be playing for Ohio State his last year than in the NFL.

Spielman said he, too, had been approached by agents.

“I’m a little smarter, I think, than to take money or anything like that,” he said. “I’m in a situation where I live off campus, pay $150, buy $70 worth of food and have $20 to spend for a month. I’ve lived like that all my life.

“You cope with it. I’m not a very materialist guy. I’ve got T-shirts from 1969 I still wear,” he laughed. “I’m not very Gucci or Jordache or whatever’s in style now.”

One other similarity between Spielman and Hayes comes in their philosophy on how to obtain success.

Hayes often said the word he hated most in the English language was “hopefully.”

“Coach Hayes was a wise man,” said Spielman. “I’ve never hoped for anything, I’ve expected it. As far as my many athletic accomplishments go, if I dont’ get ‘em, I work harder to get ‘em.”