The Legend Bennie Oosterbaan | This Week in Michigan Football History

Today’s home opener marks the 92nd year of football inside the Big House, dating back to 1927 when Fielding Yost first opened the doors to his colossal million dollar complex.

Yost hung up the coaching reins in 1926 to focus on his athletic director duties, so he actually never coached a game in Michigan Stadium.  Thankfully he left a few goodies in the cupboard, starting  with the star of that 1927 squad – the great Bennie Oosterbaan.

Fast forward to 2012, as it was on this day in 2012 that Michigan played Air Force and more importantly, honored Oosterbaan as the next member of the “Michigan Football Legends” program.  Not without some angst amongst fans and historians, Bennie’s #47 was “un-retired” and placed on the back of linebacker Jake Ryan.

But no one questioned whether Oosberbaan was deserving of this honor.  As a multi-sport superstar in the mid 1920s, the Muskegon native earned NINE varsity letters during his days on campus and posted one of the finest years ever witnessed in intercollegiate athletics.

As a senior in the 27-28 school year, Oosterbaan was captain, MVP, and an All-American in football; conference scoring champion and an All-American in basketball; and the conference batting champion in baseball.   I’m guessing you didn’t want to mess with him in billiards, bowling, darts or really any sport.

Naturally Oosterbaan had offers to play professionally after college, but he instead chose to stay in Ann Arbor to work within athletic department.  In 1938 he became the head basketball coach and a decade later in 1948, he took the reins of the football squad from the legendary Fritz Crisler.   Historically he’s the 3rd former Michigan All-American to take over on the Western sideline, following Harry Kipke and preceding Jim Harbaugh.

Crisler left plenty in the cupboard for Bennie O after his Mad Magicians won the national title in 1947.  While some fans questioned the choice, Oosterbaan led the ’48 squad to a perfect 9 and 0 record including wins on the road against rivals Michigan State, Minnesota (jug secured!) and in the finale against the Buckeyes.  All told it was good national championship number TEN for your beloved wolverines.

Oosterbaan coached until 1958 and served as director of alumni relations until his retirement in 1972.  All told he dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to the university he loved.

Today, nearly three decades after his passing in 1990, Oosterbaan is considered the greatest athlete to ever play in Ann Arbor an UNDENIABLY a Michigan Football Legend.  And while his #47 was put back on the field on this day in 2012, in 2015 #47 was re- retired and resumed its place in MEEEECHIGAN football’s Valhalla.

Go Blue, beat the Broncos and for more – check out WTKA.com and MVictors.com.  For the Key Bank Countdown to Kick-off this is Greg Dooley.