Notre Dame: a football coaching history

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2021–now

Marcus Freeman Inheritor

Marcus Freeman inherited Notre Dame at Power Program I and won with it.

2023 defense ranked in the 100th percentile nationally — elite

vs. USC

+3.1 pts over 5 seasons · top 19% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Scott Frost’s UCF run (2016–2017, 2025–now)

9th-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Brian Kelly (2010–2021).

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Record & result
Record	0-1	9-4	10-3	14-2	10-2	7-1
Postseason	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	Title game L	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	#7	#12	#9	#12	#5
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	38.9	43.4	44.1	43.5	46.0
Coordinators
OC	—	Tommy Rees	Gerad Parker	Mike Denbrock	Mike Denbrock	Mike Denbrock
DC	—	Al Golden	Al Golden	Al Golden	Chris Ash	Aaron Henry / Chris Ash
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	62	94	99	95	98
Defense	—	67	100	94	95	79
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	37.6	38.9	39.7	41.1	46.6
Red-zone pass%	—	35.5	37.2	29.9	28.3	37.0
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	22.0	33.3	33.3	66.7	55.0

Recruiter or developer?

Outperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

+21.4 pts

#36 of 208 · top quarter

Defense vs. talent

+24.2 pts

#19 of 208 · top quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.

Portal arrivals

3.5★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-38

#150 of 187 FBS stints

Notable portal arrivals with a modeled NIL value

Quincy Porter On3 modeled · $1,000,000

On3’s modeled estimate (social reach / exposure), not money actually paid — shown per player, never totaled.

Who they bring in

Typical size for position, once adjusted for position mix.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′1″, 220 lbs

across 29 of 35 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+4.9 lbs

#106 of 255 · middle half

Avg. class year

#11 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: NJ (4), VA (4), NC (3), TN (3), FL (3)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

62.3

position-weighted

Talent lost

61.5

position-weighted

Net

+0.8

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Sam Hartman (QB) from Wake Forest

Biggest loss: Kenny Minchey (QB) to Kentucky

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Tommy Rees → Gerad Parker · 2023

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 37.6% → 38.9% (+1.3 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 34% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Gerad Parker → Mike Denbrock · 2024

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 38.9% → 39.7% (+0.9 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 37% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Al Golden → Chris Ash · 2025

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Chris Ash → Aaron Henry (co) / Chris Ash · 2026

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

211 lbs

6′3″ avg · #422 of 767 · middle half

Running back

216 lbs

5′11″ avg · #116 of 791 · top quarter

Wide receiver

202 lbs

6′1″ avg · #69 of 791 · top quarter

Tight end

253 lbs

6′5″ avg · #109 of 731 · top quarter

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

311 lbs

6′5″ avg · #314 of 779 · middle half

D-line

279 lbs

6′4″ avg · #481 of 753 · middle half

Linebacker

230 lbs

6′2″ avg · #298 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

186 lbs

6′0″ avg · #572 of 771 · middle half

Safety

195 lbs

6′1″ avg · #210 of 346 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

89%

#162 of 188 stints

Grows Edge from high school

86%

#183 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2021: Lost to Oklahoma State 35-37 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl2022: Beat South Carolina 45-38 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl2023: Beat Oregon State 40-8 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl2024: Beat Indiana 27-17 College Football Playoff First Round Game Presented by Allstate2024: Beat Georgia 23-10 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl - Rescheduled from Jan 12024: Beat Penn State 27-24 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl2024: Lost to Ohio State 23-34 College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T

22 NFL Draft picks: Michael Mayer (2023), Isaiah Foskey (2023), Jarrett Patterson (2023), Joe Alt (2024), Blake Fisher (2024), Marist Liufau (2024), Cam Hart (2024), JD Bertrand (2024) + 14 more

10 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Isaiah Foskey (2022), Michael Mayer (2022), Michael Vinson (2022), Joe Alt (2022), Xavier Watts (2023), Joe Alt (2023), Xavier Watts (2024), Leonard Moore (2025) + 2 more

AI Narratives — “Notre Dame's Offseason Moves: Stability Amid Change” and 15 more on the team page.

+3.1

50-13

2010–2021

Brian Kelly Builder≈

Brian Kelly raised Notre Dame from Power Program II to Power Program I.

2019 defense ranked in the 97th percentile nationally — elite

vs. USC

+12.6 pts over 12 seasons · top 46% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mike Leach’s Texas Tech run (2000–2009)

10th-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Charlie Weis (2005–2009) · succeeded by Marcus Freeman (2021–now).

System Shift, on departure

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Record & result
Record	8-5	8-5	12-1	9-4	8-5	10-3	4-8	10-3	12-1	11-2	10-2	11-1
Postseason	W bowl	L bowl	Title game L	W bowl	W bowl	L bowl	—	W bowl	CFP loss	W bowl	CFP loss	—
Recruiting rank	#15	#9	#17	#5	#11	#13	#15	#10	#10	#16	#17	#9
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	53.7	52.2	43.4	49.4	48.9	44.6	47.0	38.5	44.0	46.8	41.7	49.9
Coordinators
OC	—	—	—	—	Mike Denbrock	Mike Sanford	Mike Sanford	Chip Long	Chip Long	Chip Long	Tommy Rees	Tommy Rees
DC	—	—	—	—	Brian VanGorder	Brian VanGorder	Brian VanGorder	Mike Elko	Clark Lea	Clark Lea	Clark Lea	Marcus Freeman
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	40	70	88	56	71	87	53	84	65	79	77	84
Defense	78	55	49	74	11	42	64	74	86	97	53	92
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	51.2	50.3	44.5	46.7	46.0	42.9	45.8	40.8	40.9	46.6	40.1	48.9
Red-zone pass%	59.0	44.0	38.9	53.5	42.5	40.9	46.2	36.7	50.0	47.5	39.2	35.0
4th-down go%opp. territory	17.9	18.5	10.3	24.4	28.6	15.2	40.0	25.6	43.4	41.9	29.0	29.3

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

+9.8 pts

#65 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

+8.2 pts

#66 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.

Portal arrivals

3.8★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-15

#173 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′2″, 213 lbs

across 2 of 4 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+8.9 lbs

#26 of 255 · top quarter

Avg. class year

#1 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: IL (1), NY (1)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

18.6

position-weighted

Talent lost

46.2

position-weighted

Net

-27.6

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Houston Griffith (CB) from Notre Dame

Biggest loss: Houston Griffith (CB) to Notre Dame

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Mike Denbrock → Mike Sanford · 2015

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 46.0% → 42.9% (-3.0 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 54% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Mike Sanford → Chip Long · 2017The system held

2-season window either side.

1st-down pass rate: 44.4% → 40.8% (-3.5 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 52% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Mike Elko → Clark Lea · 2018

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

211 lbs

6′1″ avg · #445 of 767 · middle half

Running back

201 lbs

6′0″ avg · #601 of 791 · bottom quarter

Wide receiver

203 lbs

6′0″ avg · #47 of 791 · top quarter

Tight end

258 lbs

6′4″ avg · #38 of 731 · top quarter

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

311 lbs

6′6″ avg · #308 of 779 · middle half

D-line

278 lbs

6′3″ avg · #510 of 753 · middle half

Linebacker

229 lbs

6′2″ avg · #352 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

189 lbs

6′0″ avg · #435 of 771 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Long snapper from high school

100%

#13 of 13 stints

Grows Kicker from high school

100%

#52 of 56 stints

Postseason detail2010: Beat Miami 33-17 Hyundai Sun Bowl2011: Lost to Florida State 14-18 Champs Sports Bowl2012: Lost to Alabama 14-42 Discover Bcs National Championship2013: Beat Rutgers 29-16 New Era Pinstripe Bowl2014: Beat LSU 31-28 Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl2015: Lost to Ohio State 28-44 Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl2017: Beat LSU 21-17 Citrus Bowl Presented By Overton's2018: Lost to Clemson 3-30 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - Cfp Semifinal2019: Beat Iowa State 33-9 Camping World Bowl2020: Lost to Alabama 14-31 Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One - CFP Semifinal

56 NFL Draft picks: Kyle Rudolph (2011), Michael Floyd (2012), Harrison Smith (2012), Robert Blanton (2012), Darius Fleming (2012), Tyler Eifert (2013), Manti Te'o (2013), Jamoris Slaughter (2013) + 48 more

5 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Kyle Hamilton (2020), Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2020), Aaron Banks (2020), Liam Eichenberg (2020), Kyle Hamilton (2021)

+12.6

113-40

2005–2009

Charlie Weis Steady

Charlie Weis held the Fighting Irish at Power Program II for 5 seasons.

2007 offense ranked in the 5th percentile nationally — historically bad

vs. USC

−3.2 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 47% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Hal Mumme’s New Mexico State run (2005–2008)

12th-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Tyrone Willingham (2002–2004) · succeeded by Brian Kelly (2010–2021).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Record & result
Record	9-3	10-3	3-9	7-6	6-6
Postseason	L bowl	L bowl	—	W bowl	—
Recruiting rank	#39	#5	#6	#2	#15
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	48.0	52.7	47.1	50.6	52.7
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	83	79	5	13	86
Defense	20	53	74	42	21
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	48.2	54.8	50.2	54.1	56.2
Red-zone pass%	42.4	49.6	40.4	48.2	49.6
4th-down go%opp. territory	40.0	48.7	50.0	40.4	33.3

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Kicker from high school

100%

#52 of 56 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Postseason detail2005: Lost to Ohio State 20-34 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl2006: Lost to LSU 14-41 Sugar Bowl At New Orleans La2008: Beat Hawai'i 49-21 Bowl

19 NFL Draft picks: Anthony Fasano (2006), Maurice Stovall (2006), Dan Stevenson (2006), Brady Quinn (2007), Victor Abiamiri (2007), Ryan Harris (2007), Derek Landri (2007), Mike Richardson (2007) + 11 more

−3.2

35-27

2002–2004

Tyrone Willingham Inheritor

Tyrone Willingham inherited Notre Dame at Power Program I and saw it slip to Power Program II.

No outlier style signal this stint

vs. USC

−6.0 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 30% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Neil Callaway’s UAB run (2007–2011)

11th-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Bob Davie (1997–2001) · succeeded by Charlie Weis (2005–2009).

System Shift, on departure

Season	2002	2003	2004
Record & result
Record	10-3	5-7	6-5
Postseason	L bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	#35
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	44.0
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	61
Defense	—	—	13
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	36.8
Red-zone pass%	—	—	30.7
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	38.9

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Wide receiver from high school

100%

#230 of 243 stints

Postseason detail2002: Lost to NC State 6-28 Gator Bowl

14 NFL Draft picks: Jeff Faine (2003), Jordan Black (2003), Sean Mahan (2003), Shane Walton (2003), Gerome Sapp (2003), Arnaz Battle (2003), Brennan Curtin (2003), Julius Jones (2004) + 6 more

−6.0

21-15

1997–2001

Bob Davie Inheritor

Bob Davie inherited the Fighting Irish at Blue Blood and saw it slip to Power Program I.

vs. USC

−10.9 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 10% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Gary Crowton’s BYU run (2001–2004)

7th-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Lou Holtz (1986–1996) · succeeded by Tyrone Willingham (2002–2004).

Season	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Record & result
Record	7-6	9-3	5-7	9-3	5-6
Postseason	L bowl	L bowl	—	L bowl	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1997: Lost to LSU 9-27 Bowl1998: Lost to Georgia Tech 28-35 Bowl2000: Lost to Oregon State 9-41 Bowl

21 NFL Draft picks: Allen Rossum (1998), Luke Petitgout (1999), Jerry Wisne (1999), Mike Rosenthal (1999), Malcolm Johnson (1999), Hunter Smith (1999), Autry Denson (1999), Kory Minor (1999) + 13 more

−10.9

35-25

1986–1996

Lou Holtz Transformer≈

Lou Holtz took Notre Dame from Blue Blood to Blue Blood.

vs. USC

+12.4 pts over 11 seasons · top 48% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mike Leach’s Texas Tech run (2000–2009)

2nd-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Gerry Faust (1981–1985) · succeeded by Bob Davie (1997–2001).

Season	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Record & result
Record	5-6	8-4	12-0	12-1	9-3	10-3	10-1-1	11-1	6-5-1	9-3	8-3
Postseason	—	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	L bowl	L bowl	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1987: Lost to Texas A&M 10-35 Bowl1988: Beat West Virginia 34-21 Bowl1989: Beat Colorado 21-6 Bowl1990: Lost to Colorado 9-10 Bowl1991: Beat Florida 39-28 Bowl1992: Beat Texas A&M 28-3 Bowl1993: Beat Texas A&M 24-21 Bowl1994: Lost to Colorado 24-41 Bowl1995: Lost to Florida State 26-31 Bowl

56 NFL Draft picks: Wally Kleine (1987), Steve Beuerlein (1987), Robert Banks (1987), Andy Heck (1989), Frank Stams (1989), Mark Green (1989), Wes Pritchett (1989), Anthony Johnson (1990) + 48 more

+12.4

100-30-2

1981–1985

Gerry Faust Sustainer

Gerry Faust kept the Fighting Irish a national power for 5 seasons.

vs. USC

−11.4 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 9% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Vic Koenning’s Wyoming run (2000–2002)

6th-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Dan Devine (1975–1980) · succeeded by Lou Holtz (1986–1996).

Season	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985
Record & result
Record	5-6	6-4-1	7-5	7-5	5-6
Postseason	—	—	W bowl	L bowl	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1983: Beat Boston College 19-18 Bowl1984: Lost to SMU 20-27 Bowl

15 NFL Draft picks: Bob Crable (1982), John Krimm (1982), Phil Pozderac (1982), Tony Hunter (1983), Dave Duerson (1983), Tom Thayer (1983), Larry Moriarty (1983), Greg Bell (1984) + 7 more

−11.4

30-26-1

1975–1980

Dan Devine Sustainer

Dan Devine kept the Fighting Irish a national power for 6 seasons.

vs. USC

−0.7 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 41% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Chan Gailey’s Georgia Tech run (2002–2007)

4th-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Ara Parseghian (1964–1974) · succeeded by Gerry Faust (1981–1985).

Season	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980
Record & result
Record	8-3	9-3	11-1	9-3	7-4	9-2-1
Postseason	—	W bowl	W bowl	W bowl	—	L bowl
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1976: Beat Penn State 20-9 Bowl1977: Beat Texas 38-10 Bowl1978: Beat Houston 35-34 Bowl1980: Lost to Georgia 10-17 Bowl

17 NFL Draft picks: Steve Niehaus (1976), Ed Bauer (1976), Ken MacAfee (1978), Ross Browner (1978), Luther Bradley (1978), Willie Fry (1978), Ernie Hughes (1978), Ted Burgmeier (1978) + 9 more

−0.7

53-16-1

1964–1974

Ara Parseghian Transformer

Ara Parseghian took Notre Dame from Power Program II to Blue Blood.

vs. USC

+29.0 pts over 11 seasons · top 10% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Greg Schiano’s Rutgers run (2001–2011, 2020–now)

3rd-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Hugh Devore (1963) · succeeded by Dan Devine (1975–1980).

Season	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974
Record & result
Record	9-1	7-2-1	9-0-1	8-2	7-2-1	8-2-1	10-1	8-2	8-3	11-0	10-2
Postseason	—	—	—	—	—	—	W bowl	—	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1970: Beat Texas 24-11 Bowl1972: Lost to Nebraska 6-40 Bowl1973: Beat Alabama 24-23 Bowl1974: Beat Alabama 13-11 Bowl

+29.0

95-17-4

1945, 1963

Hugh Devore Short tenure

vs. USC

9-9-1

1959–1962

Joe Kuharich Inheritor

Joe Kuharich inherited the Fighting Irish at Blue Blood and saw it slip to Power Program II.

vs. USC

−11.9 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 8% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Rich Rodriguez’s Michigan run (2008–2010)

8th-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Terry Brennan (1954–1958) · succeeded by Hugh Devore (1963).

−11.9

17-23

1954–1958

Terry Brennan Sustainer

Terry Brennan kept Notre Dame a national power for 5 seasons.

vs. USC

−10.5 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 11% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Bob Diaco’s UConn run (2014–2016)

5th-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Frank Leahy (1946–1953) · succeeded by Joe Kuharich (1959–1962).

−10.5

32-18

1941–1943, 1946–1953

Frank Leahy Transformer

Frank Leahy took the Fighting Irish from Power Program II to Dynasty — 6 Dynasty seasons.

vs. USC

+32.7 pts over 11 seasons · top 7% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Barry Alvarez’s Wisconsin run (1990–2005, 2012 (1 game), 2014 (1 game))

1st-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Elmer Layden (1936–1940) · succeeded by Ed McKeever (1944) · returned in 1946, succeeding Hugh Devore (1945) · succeeded by Terry Brennan (1954–1958).

+32.7

87-11-9

1944

Ed McKeever Short tenure

8-2

1936–1940

Elmer Layden Steady

Elmer Layden held Notre Dame at Power Program II for 5 seasons.

vs. USC

13th-best Notre Dame tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Succeeded by Frank Leahy (1941–1943).

Power Program II

34-9-2