In the late 90s, a young man from Canton McKinley High School terrorized opponents as a running back, safety and linebacker, helping lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back Ohio state championships. Mike Doss ran for more than 1,000 yards and made more than 100 tackles his senior season at McKinley before heading southwest to Columbus to play his college football for John Cooper at The Ohio State University.
Doss arrived hopeful of winning a national championship, and he would, but not as expected and not for the coach who recruited him. The Buckeyes were coming off an 11-1 season and a victory in the Sugar Bowl over Texas A&M, giving hope to Ohio State fans that Cooper had turned a corner and good things were on their way.