Former Notre Dame Head Coach Has Passed Away At 89
11/11/2024 10:53 PM
Former Notre Dame head football coach Gerry Faust has passed away, his family announced Monday night.
Faust, who coached the Fighting Irish from 1981-85, was 89. One of the most successful high school coaches of all-time at Archbishop Moeller in Ohio before arriving at Notre Dame, Faust's tenure in South Bend was marked by mediocrity on the field.
However, he was still an admired figure after the fact due to his integrity and undying love of the Fighting Irish.
"It is with tremendous sorrow that we announce the passing of Gerry Faust, loving husband, father, grandfather and coach who dedicated his life to his family, his faith and the teams and players he coached," the Faust family said in a statement tonight.
"While most knew him as a coach, we will long remember him as a wonderful father and grandfather who inspired us through example to live our best lives."
Faust went 178-23-2 in 19 seasons at Moeller from 1962-80, winning four national titles and five Ohio state titles. A lifelong Notre Dame fan, he was tabbed to take over the program after Dan Devine stepped down following the 1980 season.
Faust was just 30-26-1 with the Fighting Irish, reaching only two bowl games in five seasons before resigning and eventually being replaced by Lou Holtz. Nevertheless, his love and fanhood for Notre Dame remained unchanged in the years following his departure.
"I had only 26 miserable days at Notre Dame; that's when we lost," Faust told the Los Angeles Timesin 2008.. "Other than that, I was the happiest guy in the world. I loved walking on the campus, loved being there, loved being a part of Notre Dame."
In fact, after Faust's tenure as head coach at Akron came to a close in 1994 after nine seasons, the Dayton, Ohio native and University of Dayton alum would regularly attend multiple Notre Dame home games every season.
A devout Catholic, Faust is the second high-profile coach to pass away on Monday. John Robinson, who coached against Faust in his first of two stints at USC, died as well, also at the age of 89.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Faust family at this time.
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