The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Notre Dame: a football coaching history

Power Program I#7 of 138–
See Notre Dame’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
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Program GOAT
Frank Leahy
6 Dynasty · 9 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
Frank Leahy
Power Program II → Dynasty (+31.5)
The fall
Joe Kuharich
Blue Blood → Power Program II (−11.9)
Right now
Marcus Freeman
the 9th-best of Notre Dame's 13 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

★★★★★★program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)LaydenLeahyDevoreBrennanParseghianDevineFaustHoltzDavieWeisKellyFreeman19401960198020002020

Every coach

2021–now
Marcus Freemaninheritor
Marcus Freeman inherited a Power Program I Notre Dame and won with it.
Power Program I
43–12
2010–2021
Brian Kellybuilder
Brian Kelly raised Notre Dame from Power Program II to Power Program I.
+12.6
113–40
2005–2009
Charlie Weiscaretaker
Charlie Weis held Notre Dame at Power Program II for 5 seasons.
Power Program II
35–27
2002–2004
Tyrone Willinghaminheritor
Tyrone Willingham inherited a Power Program I Notre Dame and won with it.
Power Program I
21–15
1997–2001
Bob Davieinheritor
Bob Davie inherited a Blue Blood Notre Dame and won with it.
−10.9
35–25
1986–1996
Lou Holtztransformer
Lou Holtz took Notre Dame from Blue Blood to Blue Blood.
+12.4
100–30
1981–1985
Gerry Faustsustainer
Gerry Faust kept Notre Dame a national power for 5 seasons.
−11.4
30–26
1975–1980
Dan Devinesustainer
Dan Devine kept Notre Dame a national power for 6 seasons.
Blue Blood
53–16
1964–1974
Ara Parseghiantransformer
Ara Parseghian took Notre Dame from Power Program II to Blue Blood.
+29.0
95–17
1959–1962
Joe Kuharichinheritor
Joe Kuharich inherited a Blue Blood Notre Dame and won with it.
−11.9
17–23
1954–1958
Terry Brennansustainer
Terry Brennan kept Notre Dame a national power for 5 seasons.
−10.5
32–18
1945–1963
Hugh Devoreshort tenure
9–9
1944–1944
Ed McKeevershort tenure
8–2
1941–1953
Frank Leahytransformer
Frank Leahy took Notre Dame from Power Program II to Dynasty — 6 Dynasty seasons.
+31.5
87–11
1936–1940
Elmer Laydencaretaker
Elmer Layden held Notre Dame at Power Program II for 5 seasons.
Power Program II
34–9