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Ohio State Football: 10 greatest coaches in program history

By Quinn Douglas

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes stands on the sideline during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes stands on the sideline during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 18: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts to run the ball past Kenyon Jackson #95 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first quarter on November 18, 2017 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Illinois 52-14. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 18: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts to run the ball past Kenyon Jackson #95 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first quarter on November 18, 2017 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Illinois 52-14. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

9. John B. Eckstorm: 1899-1901

  • Career Record: 22-4-3

John B. Eckstorm may not be a familar name to many in the college football world, or even in the Ohio State fanbase, but he was the first coach to bring high level success on the gridiron for the Buckeyes. Eckstorm played college football at Dartmouth College of the Ivy League from 1894 to 1897. Following his graduation from Dartmouth, he was hired as head coach at Kenyon College in 1898. The following year, he was hired at Ohio State.

His first season in Columbus brought excitement to the Buckeye faithful, as his team finished with a 9-0-1 record. Eckstorm would continue to have success over the following season, finishing 8-1-1 in 1900. In 1901 the Buckeyes were off to another great start, until their captain, John Sigrist, died following a game against Western Reserve University due to injuries from the game. Eckstorm’s Buckeyes would not recover and finished the season 5-3-1.

Following the season, Eckstorm left Ohio State and would coach two stints at Ohio Medical and returned to Kenyon for a season as well. Eckstorm would leave the coaching profession all together following the 1906 season.

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