Title: Could Marcus Freeman Be Notre Dame's Sixth Coach to Secure a National Title?
In the heyday of watercooler chats about current events, a certain college football game served as the main topic of conversation. It was mid-October 1988, and the much-anticipated clash between No. 4 Notre Dame and top-ranked Miami Hurricanes in South Bend was making waves. The "Catholics vs. Convicts" matchup between Lou Holtz and Jimmy Johnson's teams left a lasting impression.
A thrilling 32-31 victory for the Fighting Irish was sealed by defensive back Pat Terrell knocking down Steve Walsh's two-point pass attempt with less than a minute left on the clock. Although that play wouldn't have garnered as much attention today with social media platforms, it was a crucial moment that propelled the team towards their most recent national title.
Fast-forward to the present, where Marcus Freeman, in his third season as head coach, has the opportunity to replicate Holtz's achievement. With six head coaches in Notre Dame's storied football history winning just 11 consensus national championships, Freeman is poised to become the sixth coach to etch his name in the annals of the program's history.
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Notre Dame's National Championships by Head Coach
Since 1924, Notre Dame has had eight head coaches who have led the team to consensus national championships. These coaches include Frank Leahy, Knute Rockne, Dan Devine, Ara Parseghian, and Lou Holtz, with each coach claiming one or more titles between 1924 and 1988. Notably, Holtz earned three titles during his tenure (1988, 1993, and 1995).
Lou Holtz 1988
Following the captivating contest against Miami that improved Notre Dame's record to 6-0 and climbed to No. 2 in the nation, Holtz's team continued to perform at an exceptional level in the final two games of the season. The Irish, ranked No. 1, clinched the national title by defeating No. 2 USC (27-10) in the regular-season finale and No. 3 West Virginia (34-21) in the Fiesta Bowl.
Despite Tony Rice only attempting 11 passes, he managed to connect on seven for 213 yards, resulting in an impressive average of 30 yards per completion. He threw touchdown passes to Rocket Ismail and Frank Jacobs, with Jacobs recording his only career TD.
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Tony Rice's Career
Tony Rice started his career as the backup quarterback for the Fighting Irish during the 1987 season under coach Lou Holtz. In his sophomore year, he replaced an injured Rice and went on to become the 1988 Heisman Trophy runner-up. Following his football career, Rice entered the world of professional wrestling in the late 1990s.
Other Coaches and their Achievements
Dan Devine 1977
Devine, the 53-year-old coach in his third stint at Notre Dame, led his team to a 38-10 victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl. Notre Dame, now ranked No. 3 in the nation, took advantage of six turnovers by Texas to secure their only loss of the season. Running back Vegas Ferguson scored three touchdowns while former UT All-American Earl Campbell struggled against a formidable defense.
Ara Parseghian 1966 & 1973
Parseghian, a 41-year-old coach, turned things around for Notre Dame after a disappointing season. His team finished 9-1 in 1964 and reached the national championship status but lost to USC in the final game. However, the following year, the Fighting Irish became No. 1 after a 38-0 win against Oklahoma. They clinched an undefeated season in the "Game of the Century" against No. 2 Michigan State, only to tie 10-10. Despite the tie, the Fighting Irish managed to secure a national championship.
Following a semi-successful 1970 season, the Fighting Irish bounced back in 1973, winning their second national title under Parseghian following a 24-23 Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama.
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Frank Leahy 1943 & 1946-49
Leahy, a head coach at Boston College for two seasons before joining Notre Dame, experienced both success and adversity during his tenure. While the 1943 campaign ended in defeat due to Angelo Bertelli's service-related absence, the 1946 and 1947 seasons saw the team claim back-to-back national championships. In 1949, Leahy led the Fighting Irish to their fourth straight undefeated season and their fourth consensus national title during his five years at Notre Dame.
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Knute Rockne 1924 & 1929-30
Rockne, the popular head coach at Notre Dame, amassed a record of 105-12-5 during his tenure. After serving as an assistant to Jesse Harper, Rockne took over as head coach in 1918 and led the team to its first national championship in 1924. The team, known as the "Four Horsemen," consisted of Harry Stuhldreher, Don Miller, Jim Crowley, and Elmer Layden. Rockne made history again in 1929 by clinching the national title with a 7-0 win against Army at Yankee Stadium. His last game was a 10-0 victory against USC in the 1930 season. Tragically, Rockne died in a plane crash in March 1931 at the age of 43.
- Dan Devine, who led Notre Dame to their 1977 national championship, had a successful coaching career, including three stints at his alma mater.
- Ara Parseghian's Notre Dame football team, under his guidance, claimed two national championships in 1966 and 1973, showcasing his ability to turn things around after a less than stellar season.
- In the same vein, Lou Holtz, the coach who led Notre Dame to the 1988 national championship, showed remarkable resilience with a thrilling 32-31 victory over Miami, propelling the team to their most recent title.
- Marcus Freeman, the current head coach of Notre Dame football, aims to join the ranks of legendary coaches like Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine, and Lou Holtz and etch his name in the program's history.
- Knute Rockne, the popular head coach who led Notre Dame to the 1924 and 1929-30 national championships, played a pivotal role in establishing Notre Dame's football legacy with his "Four Horsemen" team.
