OSU Copes With November Blues

In 1963, as a 25-year-old only a year out of college, John Cooper applied for an assistant coaching job at Oregon State. While interviewing with coach Tommy Prothro, he was given advice that he would never forget.

"He said, `John, in coaching there are a lot of peaks and valleys. The longer you're in it, the peaks don't get any higher and the valleys get deeper,'" Cooper said.

The 61-year-old Ohio State coach added, "I've been through some valleys, but the one this week was particularly deep."

During head coaching stints at Tulsa, Arizona State and 11 years with the Buckeyes, Cooper has won 176 games and lost only 73. But he may be remembered more for some losses than for winning two Rose Bowls and twice leading teams to No. 2 in the final Associated Press poll.

The latest defeat was as painful as any for Buckeyes fans, and that's saying something.

After all, four times in the past six seasons Cooper's teams have been been unbeaten in November. Each time, they lost to a school from Michigan.

Ohio State -- ranked No. 1 all season -- was a 28-point favorite Saturday against Michigan State. Ahead 17-3 after one quarter and 24-9 midway through the third period, the Buckeyes squandered the lead, depressing fans hoping for the school's first national championship in 30 years.

Cooper has become accustomed to the after-shocks following unexpected defeats.

"When you lose, you can't sleep," he said. "So I got up early and went to work a little earlier than usual, around 7:30 in the morning. And some of the coaches were already there."

The Buckeyes practiced Sunday while still in a state of hock. Cooper said he didn't belittle his players and didn't have to point out mistakes.

"The worst thing you can do when you lose like that is to go out and yell and scream and berate them," he said. "They feel as bad as you do."

If he had the real local newspaper, he would have seen the article criticizing his play-calling on Ohio State's final two series. Those calling in to radio shows this week have continually ripped Cooper and his staff for running on 12 straight plays on the next-to-last series, then passing all six downs on the Buckeyes' last chance. Neither produced points.

Cooper was asked about his play selection after the game.

"That's some real good second-guessing," he said.

He declined to say it was the most disappointing loss of his career. Given the opportunity during his weekly news conference to blame his quarterback, Joe Germaine, he defended him instead.

"It's a team game," he said.

He got angry when told that some TV analysts had singled out a freshman fullback for missing a block that halted the Buckeyes' next-to-last drive. Cooper said the player did his job and there were breakdowns elsewhere.

"That's ridiculous," Cooper said.

With his team 8-1 and ranked seventh, the Buckeyes now must seek something other than a No. 1 ranking.

"The worst thing you can do is hang your head and feel sorry for yourself," Cooper said.

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