 In 1899 the university hired John Eckstorm away from Kenyon College (Kenyon had beaten Ohio State 29–0 the previous year).He brought professional coaching skills to the program and immediately won the Big Six for the first time by going undefeated, as well as beating Oberlin College after previous teams had gone 0–6.His second season was almost as successful, as the 8–1–1 record included a scoreless tie against Michigan.