Before I start this thread, let me reconfirm my stance: I back Jim Tressel, and although we are in dire need of a new offensive coordinator (and overally philosophy), I think OSU is lucky to have a coach as good and classy as Tressel.

That being said -- and trying to use logic in your posts -- what would EACH coach's records look like if:

*Jim Tressel coached OSU in the 90s
*John Cooper coached OSU in the 00s

Would Tressel have brought home titles in '95 and '96 with wins over Michigan, something that proved elusive to Cooper? Would Tressel's conservative approach have secured a win against MSU in '98?

Would Cooper's more wide-open offensive schemes have helped us compete with Florida and LSU in the BCS title games? Would he even gotten us that far?

This isn't a "I miss Cooper thread," but rather just something to inspire some intelligent banter. Go ...

This is comparing apples to oranges. BCS wasn't brought on board until '98, so the '95 and '96 titles would have been voted upon, when many voters still used margin of victory as a measuring stick. I'm leaning towards no.

darbypitcher22 wrote: This is comparing apples to oranges. BCS wasn't brought on board until '98, so the '95 and '96 titles would have been voted upon, when many voters still used margin of victory as a measuring stick. I'm leaning towards no.

"No?" ... this wasn't as Yes/No question haha

Take all that away ... just put Tressel at the helm in the 90s, then a mandatory coach-change where Cooper takes over in the 00s. How would their results look?

UM had some good teams back then... OSU has faced a good UM team when Mike Hart and Henne were at UM, but the last two years not so much. I think it would have been a push. Tressel would not have done worse IMO... but Coopers offense would have killed us in 2002 for the NC... we would have never made it. Also coopers offense may have helped us against LSU and Florida... but not sure it would have got us the W.

I have no clue.

I don't like Coop managing all this talent we have had the last 5 or so years... sure the playcalling would have been a little bit more open...

Wouldn't it be an interesting dynamic if Tress brought Coop back as OC/Asst. HC? Haha

Cooper is definately a consultant at least to the OSU team as he hangs around campus and WHAC a lot.

Tress would have beaten MSU in '98 and won the NC no doubt. Hell, Dick Rod prolly could have beat MSU in '98 with the loaded team OSU had. Only the worst HC in college football history could have lost that one. Does everyone know this buffoon is in the CF/ HOF?

OneBuckeye,

so does Earle Bruce. They've both got offices over there.

darbypitcher22 wrote: I'm leaning towards no.

Second that notion.

With Tressel the Buckeyes win in 1996 purely because they would have been the only unbeaten team at the end of the year. They would have beaten Michigan and won the Rose Bowl and ended up unbeaten (Florida had one loss that season but was national champs). 1995 we weren't passing Nebraska even if we ended up unbeaten.

1998 would have been another national title year. We would never have lost to MSU at home with a comfy halftime lead.

Now with Cooper has coach in the Tressel era, I don't think we win the title in 2002. We would have lost that close game to Michigan.

Tressel against Michigan in the Cooper era (My guesses)

Win in 1988 in the Shoe (Actual score was 34-31 UM)
Lose in 1989 at AA (Actual 28-18 UM)
Win in 1990 in the Shoe (Actual 16-13 UM)
Loss in 1991 (Actual 31-3 UM)
Win in 1992 (Tie 13-13)
Win in 1993 (28-0 UM) Note- OSU was unbeaten going into that game with one tie, UM had 4 losses
Win in 1994 (Actual 22-6 OSU)
Win in 1995 (31-23 UM)
Win in 1996 (13-9 UM) National title
Toss up in 1997, but I'll say loss (20-14 UM)
Win in 1998 (31-16 OSU) National title
Win in 1999 (24-17 UM)
Loss in 2000 (38-26 UM)

Tressel would have been 9-4 IMO. Cooper was 2-10-1

Cooper in the Tressel era

2001 loss (Actual 26-20 OSU)
2002 loss (Actual 14-9 OSU)
2003 loss (Actual 35-21 UM)
2004 loss (Actual 37-21 OSU)
2005 loss (Actual 25-21 OSU)
2006 toss up but I'll say loss (Actual 42-39 OSU)
2007 win (Actual 14-3 OSU)
2008 win (Actual 42-7 OSU)
2009 win (Actual 21-10 OSU)

Cooper would have been 3-6. Tressel is 8-1.

NOOOOOOOOOO, Cooper was the biggest choker college coach ever. Cooper wouldn't even have made it to the three BCS title games. He would have lost to Michigan ALL THREE YEARS.

Cooper wide open offense??? Pro I formation, never more than 2 wide receivers. Run the hell out of Eddie George, Pepe Pierson, Michael Wiley, Derek Combs etal.

jordo212000 wrote: Wouldn't it be an interesting dynamic if Tress brought Coop back as OC/Asst. HC? Haha

Cooper never called an offensive play or defensive play in his coaching career.