After the controversial firing of Earle Bruce, Ohio State put on an exhaustive search for its 21st head football coach.
After the search, Ohio State offered John Cooper the position over Jack Bicknell, George Chaump, Willie Jeffries, Glen Mason, Don Nehlen and Sam Rutigliano. Cooper accepted the position and the Buckeyes officially hired him on Dec. 31, 1987.
John Cooper
Born in Powell, Tennessee, Cooper began his head coaching career at Tulsa in 1977. With the Golden Hurricane he amassed a 57–31 record that included five Missouri Valley Conference championships over his final five years.