WOODY GRABS TIGER TAIL By Steve Shinn

NDY RtJSSELL must have been puzzled. Here he was, a former star at Missou ri, a starting linebacker for the powerful . And here was his new position coach, Robert "Woody" Widen hofer, younger than Rus­ sell and, at best, a third·stri ng line· backer during his Tiger days. Four victories later, Russell and linebacking colleaguesJ ack Ham and Jack Lambert had learned to respect the football knowledge and teaching abili ty of the warm, caring, personable Widenhofer. In fact, when the top football job opened up at Mizzou with the di sm issal of Warren Powers Nov. 19 after seven seasons, Russell was one of the most ardent Widenhofer supporters. Thirty days later, Widenhofer became Missouri's 28th head coach. What did Mizzou get? And what did Widenhofer get into? Ath letic Director Dave Hart, who conducted the nationwide search, and Chancellor Barbara Uehli ng, who led a five· man screening committee and ul­ timately approved Hart's recommenda­ tion, are convinced the Tigers got a winner. So are a lot of others. Steelers Coach has characterized Widen hofer as the best assistant "I've ever had," emphasizing his ability to teach. " He was elevated to assistant head coach with us," Noll told th e Kansas City Star, "with increased responsibili ty and responded welL" " I think Mi ssouri got a plum," Michigan State Coach George Perles to ld the Columbia Daily Tribune. Perles has known Widenhofer since both were high school coaches. They 22~ ~23 The press conference announcing the appointment of Mlzzou's new coach attracted media from throughout Missouri. At left are Athletic Director Dave Hart, Chancellor Barbara uehling and Wldenhofer.

later coached together at Michigan State and Pittsburgh. "Recrui ting?" Perles asked. "Buckle up, " DougWi lliams, who quarterbacked the Ok lahoma Outlaws for Widenhofer last season, told the Sl. Louis Post­ Dispatch, "If there's a better coach, as far as for players, I'd like to meet him .. If a black athlete called me and said what do I think about Missouri , I'd say, 'Go play for Coach Woody.'" Teaching abili ty was the primary 24~ as the coach and director of football for the students and the high value operations for the Oklahoma Outlaws. placed on a sound education." "I've been in four Super Bowls, Uehling also felt that any sincere won them all, but this is the most search would take about 30 days to exciting moment of my life," said Widen­ complete anyway. Hart talked to many hofer at the Dec. 19 press conference. candidates, including 11 who had Mis­ "This is a very special place. It's the souri ties, either as former players or only college job I would have con­ coaches. Six came to Columbia for sidered." interviews: Gene Murphy, coach of Cal It's commonly said that the Mis­ State· Fullerton; alumnus MervJohnson, souri post is one of the 10 best college assistant head coach at Oklahoma; coaching jobs in the country. Maybe so, alumnus Johnny Roland, running-back but it's difficult to see how that state­ coach for the Bears; John ment could be true today. Cooper, coach of Tulsa; Dick Sheridan, coach at Furman; and, of course, Widen­ hofer. If it isn't already, the affirmative­ W mENHORR has a five -year action issue soon will be moot. High contract calling for $69,000 a year, plus school stars will begin signing letters· a chance to perhaps double that amount of-intent Feb. 13, and Missouri will with perks, depending on his ability to announce its share of top prospects. promote the program and himself with After all, no coach in America has ever TV shows and football camps. Mizzou is had a bad recruiting year, at least in the only institution in the state playing February. m<\jor-college football, and the state's or deeper concern is the "negativ­ high schools produce many major-col­ ity" surrounding the football program lege players. that Uehling described in announcing But also directed at the Missouri Powers' dismissal. The anger and apathy football program are considerable anger have resulted in home football atten­ and gobs of apathy. dance declining from an average of Even the search process prompted nearly 70,000 a game in 1979 to fewer controversy. On the day Powers was than 48,000 this past season. Those fired, Uehling told the press she antici­ figures represent the loss of many pated a new coach would be named in dollars to the athletic department and four to six weeks. However, some Cam­ much support for Mizzou. pus administrators apparently believed Hart is quick to acknowledge that the 30-day affirmativp-action guideline the problems are not the sole responsi­ could or would be waived so that a bility of the football coach. Persistent coach could be on board in early Decem­ dissatisfaction with the ticket policy is ber and get on with recruiting. There just one of the other issues that must be was some confusion, and many alumni dealt with. But he hopes Widenhofer's strength Hart wanted in the new coach. leaders came down hard on the side of arrival will help. He wanted someone who would bring waiving the requirement. out the best in the players, who had the On the ColumbiaCampus, coaches type of personality that would motivate are hired under the same guidelines as both players and fans. Except for the regular faculty. UMC's affirmative-action LEALUMNI Association is con­ past 3-7-1 season, Powers' won-lost rec­ plan includes a policy for recruiting cerned. Hartand the Executive Commit­ ord wasn't that bad, wasn't that great. faculty that requires a minimum of 30 tee are meeting Jan. 19 to see ifajoint Hart simply felt that the Tigers weren't days before the application deadline. plan can be developed to regain the lost playing up to their potential. "It is important," Ueh ling wrote Alumni support. Widenhofer, who becomes 42 Jan. Association President Bill Lenox, "that The fact is that the anger and the 20, has been coaching and teaching the University not mar the Intercolle­ apathy are not only a problem for the since he graduated from Mizzou in 1965; giate Athletic program's solid reputa­ athletic department and various individ­ first at Holy Redeemer and Nativity high tion for exceptional integrity by any uals. They're hurting the entire Univer­ schools in , then as a graduate inappropriate or illegal conduct in its sity. assistant at Michigan State (where he search for a new coach. We will make Missouri wasn't nicknamed the earned his master's), as defensive coor­ every effort to replace Mr. Powers with Show·me State without reason. But it's dinator at Eastern Michigan, linebacker another coach who will carry on the time that Mizzou's supporters stand up coach at Minnesota, the 11 seasons with tradition of an athletic program known and be counted. It's show-up time for the Steelers, and the past USFL season for its honesty, its conscientious caring the Show-me State. 0 ~ 25