MU hired Woody Hayes away from Denison as head football coach after Blackburn's departure. In his first season at Miami, Hayes led the Redskins to a 5–4 record. In his second year with the Redskins, Hayes led the 1950 squad to a 9–1 record and an appearance in the Salad Bowl, where they defeated Arizona State. Before the game, Hayes stated that the Sun Devils were afraid to play Miami, because Miami would beat them by two touchdowns. Hayes made good on the statement, with the Redskins winning, 34–21. Hayes had helped bring The Miami football program back to prominence after several years of mediocrity and absence from the spotlight. That success led him to accept the Ohio State head coaching position on February 18, 1951, where Hayes would cement himself as one of college football's greatest coaches. Hayes' final record at Miami is 14–5.