Bo Schembechler was a legendary American football coach who achieved remarkable success at both Miami University and the University of Michigan. With a career spanning 27 seasons, he amassed an impressive record of 234 wins, 65 losses, and 8 ties. His tenure at Michigan was particularly notable, with his teams securing 13 Big Ten Conference titles in 21 seasons. Despite never winning a national championship, Schembechler's Michigan teams consistently ranked among the nation's best, achieving 16 top-ten finishes in major polls. His legacy as one of college football's greatest coaches is cemented by his extraordinary win total, conference championships, and consistent program excellence.
April 1, 1929: Birth of Bo Schembechler
On April 1, 1929, Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler Jr. was born.
1948: Coaching Change at Miami University Impacts Bo Schembechler's Development
Sid Gillman, Bo Schembechler's coach at Miami University, departed in early 1948 and was replaced by George Blackburn, influencing Schembechler's coaching philosophy.
1949: Bo Schembechler Plays Under Coach Woody Hayes at Miami University
Bo Schembechler played college football as a tackle at Miami University, where he was coached by Woody Hayes in 1949.
1950: Bo Schembechler Concludes Playing Career at Miami University
Bo Schembechler finished his playing career at Miami University under Coach Woody Hayes in 1950.
1951: Bo Schembechler Graduates from Miami University
Bo Schembechler graduated from Miami University in 1951.
1952: Bo Schembechler Earns Master's Degree from Ohio State University
Bo Schembechler obtained his master's degree from Ohio State University in 1952 while working as a graduate assistant coach.
1952: Bo Schembechler Begins Coaching Career as Assistant at Ohio State University
Bo Schembechler served as an assistant coach under Woody Hayes at Ohio State University in 1952.
1954: Bo Schembechler Serves as Assistant Coach at Presbyterian College
Following his military service, Bo Schembechler worked as an assistant coach at Presbyterian College in 1954.
1956: Bo Schembechler Joins Northwestern University as Defensive Assistant
Bo Schembechler became a defensive assistant at Northwestern University in 1956, joining his former teammate Ara Parseghian.
1958: Bo Schembechler Returns to Ohio State University as Assistant Coach
Bo Schembechler rejoined Woody Hayes's coaching staff at Ohio State University in 1958.
1958: Bo Schembechler Returns to Ohio State University as Assistant Coach
Bo Schembechler went back to Ohio State University in 1958 to serve as an assistant coach under Woody Hayes once again.
1962: Bo Schembechler Ends Tenure as Assistant Coach at Ohio State University
Bo Schembechler's time as an assistant coach under Woody Hayes at Ohio State University concluded in 1962.
1963: Bo Schembechler Takes Helm as Head Coach at Miami University
Bo Schembechler returned to his alma mater, Miami University, to become the head coach in 1963.
1963: Bo Schembechler Begins Head Coaching Career at Miami University
Bo Schembechler started his head coaching career at Miami University in 1963.
1966: Miami University Achieves 9-1 Record Under Bo Schembechler
Miami University, led by Bo Schembechler, had a successful season in 1966, finishing with a 9-1 overall record.
1966: Anderson's Employment Begins
Robert Anderson's employment at the University of Michigan started in 1966.
1967: Bo Schembechler Withdraws from Wisconsin Head Coach Consideration
Bo Schembechler was a candidate for the head coach position at Wisconsin in 1967 but withdrew his name after a disappointing interview experience.
1968: Bo Schembechler Hired as Head Coach at University of Michigan
Bo Schembechler was appointed as the 15th head coach of the University of Michigan football team after the 1968 season.
1968: Bo Schembechler Influences Bob Knight's Decision on Wisconsin Coaching Offer
Due to his negative experience with the Wisconsin hiring committee in 1967, Bo Schembechler convinced Bob Knight to decline their offer for the men's basketball head coach position in 1968.
1968: Bo Schembechler Concludes Tenure at Miami University
In 1968, Bo Schembechler finished his time as head coach at Miami University.
1968: Schembechler's Marriage and Family
In 1968, Bo Schembechler married Millie, adopting her three sons: Donald (Chip), Geoffrey, and Matthew. They later had a son together, Glenn III (Shemy).
1969: Bo Schembechler Becomes Head Coach at University of Michigan
Bo Schembechler was appointed as the head football coach at the University of Michigan in 1969.
1969: Bo Schembechler Earns National Coach of the Year Honors
In 1969, Bo Schembechler was recognized as the national coach of the year by both the American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association of America.
1969: "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions"
In 1969, Schembechler began his tenure at Michigan with a grueling training camp. His subsequent success cemented his slogan, "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions," into Michigan football lore, as every player who stayed all four years under his leadership won at least one Big Ten championship.
December 31, 1969: Schembechler's First Heart Attack
On December 31, 1969, Bo Schembechler experienced a heart attack, a day before his first Rose Bowl appearance as a coach.
1970: Heart Attack and Rose Bowl Loss
Schembechler suffered a heart attack the day before the 1970 Rose Bowl and was unable to coach his team, which went on to lose the game. This began a string of six consecutive bowl losses for Michigan under Schembechler.
1971: Tom Slade as Schembechler's Quarterback
Tom Slade played as the quarterback for Bo Schembechler's team in 1971.
1976: Schembechler's First Quadruple Bypass Surgery
Bo Schembechler underwent his first quadruple heart bypass surgery in 1976.
1978: Renewing the Rivalry
The Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry resumed in 1978 after a long hiatus, facilitated by Schembechler's friendship with then-Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian.
1980: First Rose Bowl Victory
Schembechler won his first Rose Bowl in 1980, defeating the Washington Huskies. This team, led by star player Anthony Carter, went undefeated in their last five games and are considered by Schembechler to be one of his best.
1985: Fiesta Bowl Victory and High Ranking
Led by quarterback Jim Harbaugh, Schembechler's 1985 team achieved a 10-1-1 record, culminating in a Fiesta Bowl victory and a No. 2 final ranking, the highest of Schembechler's career.
1987: Schembechler's Second Heart Attack
In 1987, while at the University of Michigan Medical Center for tests, Bo Schembechler had his second heart attack.
1987: The Passing of Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes, Schembechler's friend and rival, passed away in 1987. Both coaches considered the 1969 Michigan victory, where Hayes' team was heavily favored, to be a pivotal moment in their careers.
1988: Bo Schembechler Becomes Athletic Director at University of Michigan
Bo Schembechler took on the role of athletic director at the University of Michigan in 1988.
1988: Athletic Director at Michigan
Schembechler became Michigan's athletic director in 1988, a position he held until 1990.
1989: Bo Schembechler Retires as Head Coach at University of Michigan
Bo Schembechler retired from his position as head coach at the University of Michigan after the 1989 season.
1989: "A Michigan Man Will Coach a Michigan Team"
In a controversial move, Schembechler fired basketball coach Bill Frieder right before the NCAA tournament for accepting another job. He appointed assistant Steve Fisher, who led the team to an unexpected national championship.
1990: Becoming President of the Detroit Tigers
After retiring from coaching, Schembechler transitioned to baseball, becoming the president of the Detroit Tigers.
1990: Bo Schembechler Departs University of Michigan for Detroit Tigers
Bo Schembechler left the University of Michigan in 1990 to assume the position of president of the Detroit Tigers.
1990: Retirement from Coaching
Citing health concerns, Schembechler retired from coaching in 1990 at the age of 60. He handpicked his successor, Gary Moeller, ensuring continuity for the program.
1990: Gary Moeller becomes Head Coach at University of Michigan
In 1990, Gary Moeller, a former assistant under Bo Schembechler, succeeded him as the head coach at the University of Michigan.
1990: Coaching Michigan and Joining the Detroit Tigers
Schembechler coached Michigan in the 1990 Rose Bowl while secretly having accepted the role of President for the Detroit Tigers, announcing the news after the game.
1991: The Ernie Harwell Controversy
Schembechler was embroiled in controversy for his role in the firing of beloved Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell, a move that drew significant backlash from fans and media.
August 1992: Firing from the Detroit Tigers
Schembechler was fired by the Detroit Tigers in August 1992 via fax, marking an unceremonious end to his time in baseball management.
August 19, 1992: Millie Schembechler's Death
After an eight-month struggle with a rare form of cancer, Millie Schembechler, Bo Schembechler's wife, died on August 19, 1992, at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at the age of 63.
1992: Bo Schembechler Concludes Tenure with Detroit Tigers
Bo Schembechler's time as president of the Detroit Tigers came to an end in 1992.
1993: Bo Schembechler Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame
Bo Schembechler was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1993.
1995: Lloyd Carr Takes Over as Head Coach
Following Gary Moeller, Lloyd Carr, another former assistant of Schembechler, became the head coach at the University of Michigan in 1995.
2003: Anderson's Employment Ends
Robert Anderson's tenure at the University of Michigan ended in 2003.
April 30, 2005: Bo Schembechler Receives Honorary Doctorate
On April 30, 2005, Bo Schembechler was honored by the University of Michigan with an honorary doctor of laws degree during the spring commencement ceremony.
October 2006: Schembechler Collapses, Receives Pacemaker
During a taping of the "Big Ten Ticket" in October 2006, Bo Schembechler collapsed. He had a pacemaker implanted to regulate his heartbeat.
November 16, 2006: Schembechler's Final Pep Talk
Despite feeling unwell, Schembechler attended the funeral of his friend and former quarterback Tom Slade on November 16, 2006. That night, he delivered his traditional pre-game pep talk, focusing on Slade's legacy and the importance of teamwork.
November 17, 2006: Death of Bo Schembechler
Bo Schembechler passed away on November 17, 2006, at the age of 77.
November 21, 2006: Memorial Service for Bo Schembechler
On November 21, 2006, a memorial service was held at Michigan Stadium to honor the life of Bo Schembechler, drawing thousands of attendees.
December 26, 2006: Gerald Ford's Death and Schembechler's Absence
Bo Schembechler was meant to be an honorary pallbearer at former President Gerald Ford's funeral on December 26, 2006, but he passed away before Ford. A tribute to Schembechler was included in the funeral proceedings.
2007: Lloyd Carr's Tenure as Head Coach Ends
Lloyd Carr's time as the head coach of the University of Michigan football team came to an end in 2007.
2008: Anderson's Death
Robert Anderson, the former University of Michigan doctor accused of sexual misconduct, passed away in 2008.
2018: Posthumous Controversy Surrounds Bo Schembechler's Legacy
In 2018, Bo Schembechler's legacy was tarnished by revelations of his involvement in covering up sexual assault accusations against team doctor Robert Anderson during his time at the University of Michigan.
2018: Allegations Against Robert Anderson Surface
Starting in 2018, numerous former University of Michigan student-athletes accused university doctor Robert Anderson of sexual misconduct.
June 2021: Matt Schembechler Alleges Abuse, Family Disputes Claims
In June 2021, Matt Schembechler, Bo's adopted son, accused Robert Anderson of molestation and claimed that Bo protected Anderson despite knowing about the abuse. Matt's half-brother, Glenn, disputed these allegations.