The Zeitgeist List · coaching
Notre Dame: a coaching history
See Notre Dame’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
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
Marcus Freeman is 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.
Every coach
2021–now
Marcus Freemaninheritor
Power Program I
33–10
2010–2021
Brian Kellybuilder
+12.6
113–40
2005–2009
Charlie Weiscaretaker
Power Program II
35–27
2002–2004
Tyrone Willinghaminheritor
Power Program I
21–15
1997–2001
Bob Davieinheritor
−10.9
35–25
1986–1996
Lou Holtztransformer
+12.4
100–30
1981–1985
Gerry Faustsustainer
−11.4
30–26
1975–1980
Dan Devinesustainer
Blue Blood
53–16
1964–1974
Ara Parseghiantransformer
+29.0
95–17
1959–1962
Joe Kuharichinheritor
−11.9
17–23
1954–1958
Terry Brennansustainer
−10.5
32–18
1941–1953
Frank Leahytransformer
+31.5
87–11
1936–1940
Elmer Laydencaretaker
Power Program II
34–9