Ohio State Football: Interview with Buckeye legend Andy Katzenmoyer

Scarlet & Game: What is your best memory from Ohio State?

Andy Katzenmoyer: “There are quite a bit. I think the memories that I remember most would be in practice or training. We spent so much time as a group of guys and with our support staff. It is all those kinds of things that you miss as a player. You don’t miss getting beat up and knocked around and waking up bruised. It’s always fun to win the big games and make the big play but the stuff I really miss is the team camaraderie.”

Scarlet & Game: What was it like to play for Coach Cooper?

Andy: “I have a connection to Coach Cooper that not many people know. My father played college football at Iowa State. When he was a freshman, John Cooper was a senior. So there were some connections I already had. But, I didn’t know that to be honest with you. My dad never told me until Coach Coop came and visited me. My dad didn’t want me to be swayed in one way or another and I commend him for that.

At the end of the day, Coach Coop was always one of those guys that you could count on. He was a “no nonsense” type guy. He didn’t spend a ton of time coaching players. He coached his coaches that coached the players. So, his administrative style was a little different as far as leading a team. But he knew the game. He understood the game. He understood the politics with being a top 5 football coach. He had to have big shoulders when things didn’t go well and he had to understand that he wouldn’t always get the credit when things went great too.

For me, he was great. He brought Ohio State out of a tough period in the 80s and early 90s when Ohio State wasn’t doing well. He really put Ohio State back on the map and set them on the trajectory that they are at today.”