Losses were mounting on the field, and tensions were rising in the locker room, as Francis Schmidt prepared for the 1940 season. By all accounts, this was his make or break campaign.
Francis Schmidt was a respectable 35–12–1 in his first six seasons as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. He had arrived with a bang, going 14–2 in his first two seasons, beat Michigan in his first four tries – shutout Michigan in each of those four games – and was the driving force behind several traditions Buckeye fans cherish today, like the Gold Pants awarded to players.