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12-13-2006, 12:15 PM
Gerry Faust
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Gerry Faust (born May 21, 1935) was a football coach at the University of Notre Dame from 1981 to 1985. Before beginning his extensive coaching career, Faust enjoyed a successful stint as quarterback at the University of Dayton, where he played for a time under former Notre Dame coach Hugh Devore. Faust's greatest success as a coach came at Moeller High School in Cincinnati (1963-80). His remarkable 174-17-2 record was highlighted by seven unbeaten seasons, four national prep titles, and five Ohio state titles in his last six seasons. It was his record, plus the quality football players from Moeller who later played at Notre Dame, that led Notre Dame officials to take a calculated gamble and hire him when Dan Devine stepped down. A self-proclaimed optimist, Faust won the hearts of the Notre Dame faithful with his inexhaustible enthusiasm.
Faust's Notre Dame tenure got off to a rousing start with a 27-9 victory over LSU in the 1981 season opener. When top-ranked Michigan lost to Wisconsin on that same day, the Irish found themselves ranked #1 in the country. People began wondering if Notre Dame would ever lose again. The euphoria was short-lived, as Michigan burst Notre Dame's bubble the following week, defeating the Irish, 25-7. From there, it was all downhill. Faust proved a surprisingly mortal coach at Notre Dame, leading the Fighting Irish to a 30-26-1 record. Critics agreed that his lack of collegiate coaching experience and poor organization were major factors, and his constant shuffling of assistants prevented any sense of continuity. The highlights of his tenure at Notre Dame included a 1983 Liberty Bowl victory over Boston College and an appearance in the 1984 Aloha Bowl. Towards the end, his offense had become too predictable, leading some to describe it as, "Pinkett-Pinkett-Pass-Punt." After a 10-7 loss to LSU in the tenth game of the 1985 season, Faust saw the handwriting on the wall and resigned after leading the Fighting Irish to a 5-6 record. His most infamous moment was in his final game of that 1985 season, as Miami under Jimmy Johnson drubbed the Irish 58-7 at the Orange Bowl Stadium, which served as the catalyst for the Catholics vs. Convicts rivalry between Notre Dame and Miami in the 1980s. Lou Holtz replaced him in South Bend, leading the Fighting Irish back to glory.
Faust spent the next nine seasons (1986-94) as head coach at the University of Akron, compiling an overall record of 43-53-3 at the school. His enthusiasm and love for Notre Dame never waivered, though. His youngest son, Steve, is a Notre Dame graduate.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Gerry Faust (born May 21, 1935) was a football coach at the University of Notre Dame from 1981 to 1985. Before beginning his extensive coaching career, Faust enjoyed a successful stint as quarterback at the University of Dayton, where he played for a time under former Notre Dame coach Hugh Devore. Faust's greatest success as a coach came at Moeller High School in Cincinnati (1963-80). His remarkable 174-17-2 record was highlighted by seven unbeaten seasons, four national prep titles, and five Ohio state titles in his last six seasons. It was his record, plus the quality football players from Moeller who later played at Notre Dame, that led Notre Dame officials to take a calculated gamble and hire him when Dan Devine stepped down. A self-proclaimed optimist, Faust won the hearts of the Notre Dame faithful with his inexhaustible enthusiasm.
Faust's Notre Dame tenure got off to a rousing start with a 27-9 victory over LSU in the 1981 season opener. When top-ranked Michigan lost to Wisconsin on that same day, the Irish found themselves ranked #1 in the country. People began wondering if Notre Dame would ever lose again. The euphoria was short-lived, as Michigan burst Notre Dame's bubble the following week, defeating the Irish, 25-7. From there, it was all downhill. Faust proved a surprisingly mortal coach at Notre Dame, leading the Fighting Irish to a 30-26-1 record. Critics agreed that his lack of collegiate coaching experience and poor organization were major factors, and his constant shuffling of assistants prevented any sense of continuity. The highlights of his tenure at Notre Dame included a 1983 Liberty Bowl victory over Boston College and an appearance in the 1984 Aloha Bowl. Towards the end, his offense had become too predictable, leading some to describe it as, "Pinkett-Pinkett-Pass-Punt." After a 10-7 loss to LSU in the tenth game of the 1985 season, Faust saw the handwriting on the wall and resigned after leading the Fighting Irish to a 5-6 record. His most infamous moment was in his final game of that 1985 season, as Miami under Jimmy Johnson drubbed the Irish 58-7 at the Orange Bowl Stadium, which served as the catalyst for the Catholics vs. Convicts rivalry between Notre Dame and Miami in the 1980s. Lou Holtz replaced him in South Bend, leading the Fighting Irish back to glory.
Faust spent the next nine seasons (1986-94) as head coach at the University of Akron, compiling an overall record of 43-53-3 at the school. His enthusiasm and love for Notre Dame never waivered, though. His youngest son, Steve, is a Notre Dame graduate.