Former Notre Dame head coach Gerry Faust passed away at 89

RIP OHIO LEGEND

It’s a sad day in Ohio and for Notre Dame fans. Former Moeller High School and University of Notre Dame head coach, Gerry Faust, has passed away at the age of 89.

Faust was the head coach at Moeller High School in Ohio for 19 seasons. During his time there, the Crusaders won five Ohio State Championships (all of which came in his final 6 seasons), 4 Prep National Championships, and 12 Greater Catholic League championships.

Faust had no plans to leave Moeller ever — except for one place, at that was the University of Notre Dame. Faust was a very devout catholic, and the chance to coach there — a university that wasn’t just catholic, but one of the most storied football programs in America, was a dream come true. In 1980, the Irish offered him that chance after the departure of Dan Devine from South Bend.

Faust famously once said, “I hope my lifelong dream doesn’t end in a nightmare,” and sadly it slowly became one during five rough seasons at Notre Dame. Perhaps the two most famous games for Faust while at Notre Dame were when the Irish upset the #1 ranked Pitt Panthers in 1982, and the final game of his career against the Miami Hurricanes — a 58-7 loss that kick-started one of the great rivalries in college football during the late 80s and early 90s.

In five seasons, Gerry was 30-26-1 at Notre Dame.

After being let go by the Irish, Faust took over at Akron and coach there for 9 seasons before finally leaving the coaching profession altogether.

Despite Faust’s overall lack of success at Notre Dame, he was widely praised for his energy, passion, and love of Notre Dame.

“I had only 26 miserable days at Notre Dame; that’s when we lost. 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.”

His humble departure may have been a jolt for some, but his professionalism stayed stayed well above board.

For many years, Faust was a guest in the press box at Notre Dame — a spot where I had my one and only interaction with him. As brief as it was, it’s something I’ll never forget, and as he has done with so many of those that came across his path during his life — he made me smile.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.