When stomach pains forced Charlie Coles out of coaching last season, he received support from an unlikely group.
Coles remembers both his inbox and mailbox filling up with support from his biggest rival - Ohio fans.
It was amazing
Coles said. I had more e-mails and letters last year from Ohio fans than any other fans.
Some may wonder how the Bobcats' fans could have so much love for a coach at a school they are supposed to hate.
But spend five minutes with Coles, and even the most fervent Miami hater couldn't help but have admiration for him.
The passion and energy he brings on the sidelines is unparalleled.
He stayed enthusiastic even after he had bypass surgery in 1986. He kept the same demeanor even after falling into cardiac arrest during the 1998 Mid-American Conference tournament.
Talk about coaching your heart out.
Coles has done just that at Miami for 13 seasons. He's had first-hand knowledge of what the Miami-Ohio rivalry is as a player and coach.
Ohio and Miami is the game in this conference Coles said. It has always been that way. It will always be that way.
When Coles played at Miami from 1962-65, he never beat Ohio.
He remembers the 1964 game when his team had a chance to win the MAC title. His team lost that night in front of a sold-out crowd at home 63-60.
Coles has had much more success as a coach with a record of 22-20 against the Bobcats. Despite the challenge of winning in The Convo, Coles said he always loves making the trip.
This season will be more difficult than ever to play in The Convo.
Coles said he's going to have a hard time getting ready to play Ohio after the outpouring of support he received.
Right now I'm not ready for them Coles said. There's nothing but love.
In typical Coles fashion, he joked about how he would prepare for tonight's game.
I'm going to have to go hunting for bears with a switchblade knife or eat some nails
Coles said. I'm going to have to get ready.
The O-Zone will be ready for Coles.
Coles has always held the student section in high regard.
In one memorable moment, Coles and the team huddled during a timeout. When he stepped back onto the court he heard laughter from the Ohio crowd.
The Bobcat fans had taken Miami assistant Daryl Hendrix's chair and passed it up the bleachers. Hendrix fell onto the ground with no idea his chair had disappeared.
It was amazing
Coles said. We all had to laugh. He didn't live that one down for a while.
Even as a coach, Coles has been known to chat with fans behind his bench.
In an age when college basketball coaches take themselves too seriously, Coles keeps the game fun.
I love to go back and forth with them
Coles said. It's beautiful.
For two schools that have so much perceived hatred for each other, Coles gives both sides a chance to agree on something:
You have to love Charlie Coles.
- Steve Gartner is a junior studying journalism and a sports writer for The Post. If you have a favorite Charlie Coles memory to share, send him an e-mail at sg503405@ohiou.edu.
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Steve Gartner
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