Gary Moeller, who crossed rivalry lines by becoming the head coach at Michigan after playing at Ohio State, died Monday at 81 years old.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of former head coach Gary Moeller today. Our thoughts are with his wife Ann and the rest of the Moeller family.
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) July 11, 2022
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Moeller played for the Buckeyes from 1960-62, primarily playing linebacker though he also saw snaps at center. He was a captain for Woody Hayes’ squad during his senior season.
After his Buckeye career ended, Moeller went into coaching at Bellefontaine High School. He began his college football coaching career in 1967 at Miami University, where he assisted Bo Schembechler – who was an assistant coach at Ohio State during Moeller’s Buckeye career – before following Schembechler to Michigan in 1969.
Moeller was one of Schembechler’s assistants for 18 of his 21 seasons at Michigan, excluding a three-year stint as Illinois’ head coach from 1977-79. He eventually succeeded Schembechler as Michigan’s head coach in 1990 and led the Wolverines for five seasons before his resignation in 1995.
Moeller, who went 3-1-1 against his alma mater as Michigan’s coach, remains the only former Ohio State player to ever become the head coach at Michigan.
Moeller’s visitation will be held in his hometown of Lima, Ohio on Friday. A private family funeral will be held Saturday.
